VCU news

By Mike Porter

The Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department is seeking help in identifying a man being sought as a “person of interest” in connection with two cases of check fraud against VCU students.

On March 1, the man asked a student on the Monroe Park Campus for help in depositing a check after bank hours. The student deposited the check and provided cash to the suspect. The check was not valid and the man made off with a significant amount of money. The man allowed the victim to take his photograph in an attempt to convince the student that his request was legitimate.

On March 21, a man approached another student near the intersection of Grace Street and Shafer Street and asked the student to deposit a check for him. When a deposit attempt at a nearby ATM was not successful, the student deposited the check at a nearby bank. The student turned a significant amount of money to the man before the check was determined to be invalid.

Police said the same man may be involved in both incidents.

Anyone who can help police identify the man in this photo is asked to contact Sgt. Nicole Dailey of the VCU Police Department at 804-828-1209 or Crime Stoppers of Metro Richmond at 804-780-1000.

Anonymous tips may also be offered by texting ”VCUtip” to 274637. Information leading to an arrest may result in a cash award.