Gwinnett County police say a man posed as an eye doctor for years, treating patients and billing insurance companies for thousands of dollars.
Detectives said Choon Kyong Kim has cleared his two stores and is on the run. Police have charged Kim with 21 felonies but have not been able to find him.
"I came to see him about another pair of glasses today," Debbie Chung said.
She said she heard the news as she stopped by the Satellite Boulevard Eyeland Optical store Tuesday.
"I got my exam from Korea and brought it here and then he told me that I have to get glasses," Chung said.
Detective Nermin Cultarevic said Kim was licensed to sell and adjust glasses, but not give exams or write prescriptions. Cultarevic says Kim posed as a doctor for at least six years.
"He introduced himself as a doctor, he conducted comprehensive eye exams." Cultarevic said. "The potential danger is astronomical."
Police gave Channel 2’s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Tony Thomas an exclusive look into the case.
Cultarevic says he discovered the alleged scheme when a real doctor who used to work with Kim realized Kim was using his medical ID provider number and billing insurance companies. Kim would then intercept the payments, Cultarevic said.
"We are talking thousands and thousands of dollars," Cultarevic said.
Police say after they tried to question Kim, he cleared out his store at 3751 Satellite Boulevard, along with his wife's store in Suwanee. The store shelves were bare Tuesday, although all the signs were still hanging in the windows. Investigators say Kim also moved everything out of his Gwinnett County home.
Police were able to seize some of his paperwork. Cultarevic said the documents show Kim charged thousands of patients $60 to $80 apiece for eye exams, plus whatever glasses and contacts he sold them.
Kim faces felonies ranging from identity theft to practicing optometry without a license. Investigators said that could just be the beginning of the total number of charges they might file.
Customers are now left wondering if their eyes and glasses are OK.
"Does that worry you that he gave you an exam but he wasn't a real doctor?" Thomas asked Chung.
"It does, but he didn't do anything but he just gave me the reading, the chart,” she replied.
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