CAC helping police after group targets homeless to cash fake checks

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – It was upsetting for Kenneth Coleman, who stays in a homeless shelter, to learn a group is accused of recruiting homeless people to cash fake checks.

“This is bad people that are getting good people in trouble,” said Coleman

Police say they’re camping out near homeless shelters like the Catholic Action Center.

“It seems too good to be true. Our folks are offered money to go cash a check, that the person just doesn’t have a way of cashing it. Some people are doing it very unbeknownst,” said Ginny Ramsey, Director of the Catholic Action Center.

Police say this happened at at least four banks in Lexington. Two were Central Bank locations. Police think the homeless are being recruited by a group that comes up from Georgia and gives the homeless part of the money.

“They’re the ones who cash the checks, they’re the ones who’s ID’s are used. They’re the ones who are on the bank cameras. They’re the ones that are liable. The people who put them up to it, get away scot free,” said Ramsey.

The Catholic Action Center is now warning its community to be aware. It’s brought in police detectives to educate folks at the center, encouraging them to call police if approached, rather then take the bait.