2 men sought in check fraud case in Huntington Beach
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Police are asking for the public’s help in finding two men accused of trying to defraud a Huntington Beach resident out of more than $1,400, authorities said Tuesday in a Facebook post.
Huntington Beach police received a report on Dec. 23 from a man who claimed he had been scammed by two people posing as a father and son who came to his door asking for help with a college fund.
Police described one as a white man in his mid-50s, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, about 155 pounds and with slightly receding short brown hair.
The other man is described as 18 to 19 years old, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, about 145 pounds and with long brown hair. Police said he reportedly had a “speech issue” and a possible mental disability.
The alleged victim told police the older suspect asked him for money to help pay his son’s tuition at UEI College in Irvine, which is part of a for-profit college chain. Police said the younger man reportedly wore a school identification on a lanyard and gave out brochures from the college.
Police said the alleged victim handed over a $50 check, believing he was helping pay for tuition for a person in need. A few weeks later the man was contacted by his bank about fraud linked to his account.
Police said the men had taken the original check and used the account and routing numbers to forge two other checks, one for $300 and another for $1,128. The bank was able to catch the fraud before either check was cashed.
Police have asked that anyone with information about the case call (714) 960-8811.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
