Suspect in forgery
of checks is charged

Police investigate a Waianae
woman for cases dating to 2003

Amy Fukunaga says her life was turned upside down after an order of new checks in her post office box was stolen.

"It's really been a nightmare," she said. More than $1,000 in checks were written on her account before she realized they were stolen. She said she has spent countless hours and her vacation untangling the financial mess and trying to rectify her credit.

"If I write a check, a red flag may go up," she said.

Fukunaga is one of several individuals and businesses allegedly victimized by a 36-year-old Waianae woman during the last six months.

Lillian Mary Hussein was charged yesterday with 12 felonies: six counts of second-degree forgery, three counts of second-degree theft and three second-degree identity theft counts.

Prosecutors plan to take three other felony cases -- one second-degree theft, one identity theft and one second-degree forgery -- to a grand jury.

Police said they believe Hussein is involved in many other cases.

Investigators said they are not sure whether Hussein stole the checks from cars, residential mailboxes and post office boxes, or whether she received checks stolen by someone else.

In the last six months, Hussein allegedly used stolen checks and at least three counterfeit Hawaii driver's licenses with different people's information but her photo on them, according to police.

Police are investigating Hussein for cases going back to April 2003.

Hussein allegedly used 30 to 40 of Fukunaga's checks stolen from her box at the Makiki Post Office at various retail stores, using a fake ID with Fukunaga's name and Hussein's photo. Fukunaga said she did not lose any money because it was either covered by her bank or absorbed by the retailers once she provided proof that the checks were stolen.

Police ask anyone with information on Hussein to call police at 911 or the Criminal Investigation Division, 529-3115.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is considering federal charges against Hussein, said Adam Behnen, postal inspector team leader.

"We believe there are a lot of people involved," Behnen said, but he added there is no indication employees were involved.

"The inspector investigating the case said he has had several boxes popped open with a crowbar," said Behnen.

Hussein is also accused of using a counterfeit check to buy a 1989 Chevy Camaro with stolen checks from another victim, according to police.

Fukunaga said it was fortunate she did not have her street address imprinted on the checks, but she regrets including her full name and phone number. She suggests using a first initial and last name, rather than a full name, so would-be thieves will not know how to sign the check. That way, the victim's bank might be able to flag the bogus checks.

Fukunaga said she discovered something was wrong after she made a routine call to the bank to see if her mortgage check had cleared.