In an incident of bold fraud, the Alhambra Police Department apprehended Leslie Molina of Panorama City, CA, after she attempted to cash an altered check at a Citibank, using a false identity. The department's Facebook post stated that Molina's claim of earning the check for house cleaning services, through a couple she allegedly met on Craigslist, didn't add up, as she was unable to provide any details about them, a situation that raised multiple red flags.
Molina's attempt involved a photocopied check and multiple fake IDs, which she presented during the bank transaction, according to the Alhambra Police Department's post. It was revealed that the check was originally made out for $300 to settle a bill; however, it had been altered to $2,400 – a technique known as check washing—but the mathematics of deception is often flawed, and in this case, it led to her apprehension and subsequent arrest.
Further investigation uncovered the presence of numerous fake IDs and cards in Molina's purse, which confirmed that this was not her first venture into identity theft. Molina, now facing charges for her actions, was booked at the Alhambra Police Department Jail. The incident underscores a growing issue with mail theft and the subsequent wash-and-cash scams that have been steadily on the rise.
The Alhambra Police Department also took the opportunity to educate the public on the protection of personal information, they advised "Protect your info and your peace by using your bank's online bill pay for secure electronic payments, dropping off sensitive mail directly inside the post office, or handing it directly to your letter carrier," as preventative measures against such scams. This warning is especially timely during the holiday season when mail thefts typically surge, and individuals are encouraged to be extra vigilant with their personal and financial information.
