GRAND ISLAND – The Grand Island Police Department is investigating a string of businesses hit by counterfeit checks.
Five Grand Island businesses reported fraudulent checks cashed out by several suspects between Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14. Suspects primarily targeted Hispanic businesses that process checks.
According to Captain Dean Elliot, one business in particular lost $60,896 from 55 forged checks.
Based on surveillance footage, there were two different groups visiting businesses separately and cashing out checks. The two groups are believed to be working together since the checks utilized by both groups were the same. GIPD found there were seven men in total involved.
At one of businesses, suspects reportedly changed clothes multiple times and entered the same business for several transactions. Only one business took an ID but could not be traced back as it was a foreign ID. Checks were found to have stemmed from a legitimate concrete business, but it’s believed one of the suspects obtained a payroll check and made fraudulent copies.
It’s estimated affected businesses lost a combined total of $80,000. Suspects are believed to have been from out of town.
Businesses that process checks are advised to pay close attention to checks and ID individuals cashing them. Businesses should take photocopies and look for security features on checks.
The investigation is ongoing.
