ID theft, CC fraud suspect sought

KITTY HAWK, NC - Police are seeking help from the public in finding a man suspected of at least a dozen cases of identity theft and credit card fraud in Kitty Hawk and other locations.

Stephen Okyere Budu, 27, of Ghana, had worked for a retailer in Kitty Hawk who has asked not to be identified, Kitty Hawk police detective Brian Strickland said Wednesday.

Budu had lived in the town since late May on a J-1 visa that allows a student to have a job in the U.S., usually for 90 days. He has not been seen since early July, Strickland said.

“We don’t know where he is,” the detective said, “but there’s a feeling he’s still in the area.”

Police have notified U.S. immigration officials, he said.
A warrant served on Friday at the residence found about $30,000 to $40,000 in electronic items purchased with stolen credit card information from victims scattered throughout the U.S., Strickland said.
Strickland said that since 2006, there have been a number of cases reported in town of credit card fraud committed by people with temporary visas. By the time the scam is discovered, he said, the culprit has already left the state or the country.
Anyone with information about Budu is asked to contact the Dare Community Crime Line at (252) 473-3111 or (800) 745-2746, or online at www.darecommunity crimeline.org. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to his apprehension.