Man used telephone, Internet to obtain credit cards

A Morton Grove man accused of identity theft used the telephone and the Internet to obtain credit cards, according to federal prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher McFadden on Thursday said Mohammad Afzal Sodagar spent much of his time on the phone with credit card companies, even disguising his voice as he pretended to be other people.

Sodagar, a native of Pakistan, is accused of using the credit cards to commit fraud. Although Sodagar had no apparent job, police found $60,000 in cash in his closet when he was arrested November 29th.

Sodagar, a naturalized citizen, was arrested after his son called police to say his father was threatening to shoot him.

Authorities say a search of the family home turned up more than 400 credit cards.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier ordered Sodagar held without bail.