Backstreet Boys creator Lou Pearlman died from an "ongoing cardiac problem".

His official cause of death has been listed as "natural" and Lou had been transferred from prison to hospital ahead of the surgery.

In 2006 Pearlman was accused of being behind one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in US history, in which up to 1,700 investors were defrauded out of at least $300 million.

He fled to Indonesia but was captured by authorities in 2007 and convicted the following year after pleading guilty to charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud.

Pearlman was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with the condition that one month would be taken off his sentence for every million he paid back but he never paid any of the money.

He suffered a stroke in 2010 and has had health problems since then.

Lou was also sued by a number of his acts, who accused him of cheating them out of millions, but despite the lawsuits, some of his former protégés took to Twitter to remember him after his death.

Justin Timberlake tweeted: "I hope he found some peace. God bless and RIP, Lou Pearlman (sic)."

Justin's bandmate Lance Bass wrote: "Word is that #LouPearlman has passed away. He might not have been a stand up businessman, but I wouldn't be doing what I love today w/out his influence. RIP Lou (sic).

Former O-Town singer Ashley Parker Angel also took to Twitter, to write: "Love him or hate him, Lou gave many of us our start. It's a shame he let greed get in his way. #RIP #LouPearlman (sic)."

And Aaron Carter added: "#LouPearlman my old manager died in prison... Rip Lou not the best business guy really at all but he did discover me karma is real (sic)."