Los Angeles police have arrested three suspects in the case of Craigslist scammers who fraudulently took renters' money by taking deposits from them for apartments that they did not have the power to rent or lease. 20 victims have stepped forward to report their losses caused by the fraud, and detectives believe that there may be at least a dozen more victims who have not identified themselves, according to KTLA.
The two men were arrested when Los Angeles Police Department SWAT stormed a Silver Lake apartment that is believed to have been the base of their operations and arrested another in a different part of town. In order to fraudulently gain victims' money, the men would advertise on the classified website Craigslist for apartments in the Baldwin Village and Hollywood areas that they were looking to rent out.
Prospective renters would arrive at the apartment and be able to tour the apartment; the next day, the victim would meet with one of the men and give them the deposit for the apartment and receive a key. When the renters came to the apartment to move in they would find that the key did not work and they could not contact the men.
Fraud is defined in California Penal Code Section 484 (a) as anyone "who causes or procures others to report falsely of his or her wealth or mercantile character and by thus imposing upon any person, obtains credit and thereby fraudulently gets or obtains possession of money, or property or obtains the labor or service of another".
Those guilty of misdemeanor theft or fraud can be punished under California Penal Code 484b, and it "shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year."
Being charged with theft, fraud, or any other forms of stealing can carry serious penalties in California that permanently alter the course of one's life. If you or a loved one has been charged with one of these crimes, the Los Angeles fraud defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Daniel Kann can defend your rights in court. Contact us at (310) 954-9356 to find out how we can help you today.
Sources:http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-craigslist-rental-scam,0,2351677.story; http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=484-502.9; http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/489.html
