Clients claim fraud

Police said at least 50 people have come forward as alleged victims of a Newport Beach business owner suspected of making unauthorized charges on their credit cards since they announced his arrest in October.

To date, Newport Beach police claim that they’ve found more than $1 million in unauthorized charges Hamid Derakhshi, 45, made on the credit cards of his clients. Derakhshi, a Newport Beach resident, owns A Classy Ride limo service, 3933 Birch St.

Police said when people would use Derakhshi’s limo service, located near John Wayne Airport, he would provide the person with a credit card receipt and bill for the service. Several days or even months later, Derakhshi would make an unauthorized transaction on the card, ranging from $900 to $1,500, police said. Credit card companies have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to him, said Sgt. Evan Sailor.

According to court records, Derakhshi is charged with 43 felonies related to making unauthorized charges on his clients’ credit cards between January 2005 and October 2008.

Authorities are still investigating and asking anyone who thinks they may have been a victim to notify their bank immediately, close their accounts then call police at (800) 550-NBPD.

Derakhshi is in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail. He has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Feb. 27 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 20.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.