Bogus Check Ring Operating in Area, Police Say

San Diego police are urging merchants, particularly small business owners, to be wary of a counterfeit check ring that has been operating in San Diego and apparently involves several illegal aliens from Los Angeles.

Detective Vic Colvin said police were alerted to the fraudulent operation last Saturday when three Latino men attempted to cash separate checks at the Check Cashing Place, 4121 University Ave.

He said the clerk grew suspicious because three men arrived separately at the store at the same time and attempted to cash checks for similar amounts drawn on the account of the same San Diego engineering contractors company.

Colvin said the first check was cashed for $327.45. When the clerk began questioning the other two men about their checks, both men “became nervous and fled.”

He said all three men showed valid California driver’s licenses with Los Angeles addresses, but that the checks they presented turned out to have been fraudulently manufactured and not issued by the engineering firm.