Redlands police bust possible investment fraud scheme
REDLANDS — Redlands police arrested a 21-year-old British national on Monday for passing a fraudulent check. But further investigation may reveal that the suspect was also involved in an investment fraud scheme with local students at the University of Redlands.
Adam Al-Muhanna was arrested Monday for writing a $100,000 check on a closed banks account. “He said he knew there wasn’t enough money in the account,” explained Redlands Police Officer Cindy Warner, “but you could tell he made a mistake writing the check. The amount he wrote it for was $100,000, but he didn’t have enough zeroes in the amount portion.”
Police are investigating three other potential victims, according to Carl Baker, a spokesman for Redlands PD. The assigned university police officer, Lt. Bill Cranfill, said the suspect received anywhere between $2,000 and $65,000 “from there.”
The suspect attempted to write the check on a closed Citi-Bank account. Police said Al-Muhanna, who is from London, promised investors a high and quick return on their investments. Investigators found that he sent the money to an overseas account in Luxembourg.
“He’s being turned over to INS (Immigration and Customs Service), who have put an immigration hold on him,” Baker said.
Police investigating potential investment fraud believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who may be a victim should call the Redlands Police Investigations Bureau at (909) 798-7659 and ask for Cpl. Corey Hunt.
