4 Arrested in Alleged Credit-Card Forgeries

Continuing their efforts to crack down on a suspected ring of Nigerian credit-card forgers, Los Angeles police arrested four people Tuesday believed to be buying thousands of dollars of merchandise for their personal use and resale.

In nearly two months, detectives from the LAPD’s bunco-forgery unit in Van Nuys have arrested nine people suspected of being part of the fraud ring. Police have uncovered bank safe deposit boxes with jewels and cash, storage units with computers, TVs, clothing and other costly items, and apartments filled with new merchandise.

In Tuesday’s arrests, police said they found receipts from Beverly Hills stores showing purchases totaling more than $24,000 over the course of nine days. The three men and one 17-year-old were arrested early Tuesday in two North Hollywood apartments.

“They’re very sophisticated and they like to live the good life,” said Det. Juan Baello, who has been investigating the cases.

Being held in Van Nuys Jail on $1-million bail for suspected forgery were Ogwuobu Ojoir, 24, Ignatious Aboh, 24, and Tmen Lace, 31. Police did not name the juvenile, who was believed to be the girlfriend of one of the men.

Police said Ojoir is wanted in Oakland and Walnut Creek on similar charges. Baello said Ojoir simply moved from Walnut Creek when he was arrested there in April and “moved the entire operation here.”

When police served search warrants Tuesday, they found a list of 300 to 400 names and credit-card numbers in the toilet after someone had attempted to flush it. Receipts and merchandise showed that purchases were made at Barneys New York, Moschino, Cartier and other high-priced Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard stores.

Police said the ring apparently obtained credit reports with names and Social Security numbers and then requested additional cards from credit-card companies. They typically ran the cards up to the maximum limits before switching to other cards, police said.