A Federal Way man used fake checks totaling more than $184,000 to boost his lifestyle, including moving into a new house and buying two new cars, police said.
Steve Cho, 54, allegedly used the checks at businesses throughout Pierce and King counties. King County prosecutors are weighing charges against him. He was released from jail Monday after posting bail.
Officers first arrested Cho on Feb. 27 after discovering he and his 16-year-old daughter had illegally moved into a house for sale in the 33600 block of Seventh Court SW. The house was listed for $650,000.
Cho wrote a bad $8,087 check to the King County Recorder’s Office to get the house’s deed put in his name. He also bought a new $80,000 Infinity and a new $84,000 Mercedes Benz from Fife dealerships with fraudulent checks, police said.
After serving a search warrant, officers found evidence Cho had been using counterfeit checks at many other businesses, including $12,200 he got from a check-cashing business.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of Cho is asked to contact police detective Annette Scholl at 253-835-6892 or Annette.scholl@cityoffederalway.com.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
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