Forged checks used to drain elderly man's bank account

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police are searching for the person who stole checks from an 89-year-old man and drained his bank account.

Investigators said a man captured in surveillance footage forged about $1,200 worth of checks at metro Atlanta stores.

"And how I don't know and who I don't know," victim Bob Moghaddan said.

Johns Creek police said they began investigating after Moghaddan visited his bank and asked the teller how much was in his account.

"She said, 'You have $75.'  I said, 'What?'" Moghaddan recalled to Channel 2's Eric Philips.

Moghaddan said he instantly knew the balance was much lower than it should have been. He said the bank then produced copies of the canceled checks totaling about $1,200. The signatures on them were forged, someone signed his name as "Robert" but his first name is "Bob."

Moghaddan said the bank manager reassured him and the stolen money was replaced. He can't say for sure how this happened, but said he had helpers in his home after a recent hernia operation.
 
"Approximately eight to 12 health care aides were there and we believe the checks may have been taken at that time," said Lt. Chris Byers of the Johns Creek Police Department.

Moghaddan said he does not recognize the man in surveillance images taken at one of the stores where the forged checks were cashed. Investigators hope the public can help identify the man.

"It does come with some extra care when we investigate a crime like this, because we do all we can to protect our elderly from becoming victims of crimes like this," Byers said.

Investigators said the stolen checks were passed at Walmart, Target, Kroger and Staples locations across the metro area.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call Crimestoppers at 407-577-8477.

WSBTV