Southland Man Sought in Mass-Mailing Fraud : Swindle: At least 400 people nationwide may have been victims. They were promised travel, cars and other items but got little or nothing.

Authorities are searching for a Beverly Hills man who allegedly masterminded a nationwide mass-mail swindle that bilked hundreds of victims by promising them trips, cars and other expensive prizes.

Local and state investigators said Friday that Jason M. Abraham, 45, of Beverly Hills, swindled more than 400 victims in at least 44 states and Puerto Rico over a period of at least six years.

On Friday, authorities moved to seize area bank accounts held by Abraham. City Atty. James K. Hahn said it was only the second time in state history that a search warrant was used to seize a bank account as evidence in a criminal case.

Hahn, who is coordinating the investigation with the state Justice Department, said a $100,000 arrest warrant has been issued for Abraham, but that he is nowhere to be found.

“This is the typical scam that everybody gets in their home, in the mail,” said Deputy City Atty. Ruth Kwan, head of the office’s consumer protection section. “We cannot tell how extensive it is until we look at the bank accounts. Then we will really know how much he has swindled.”

As of late Friday, the bank searches had not been completed. Abraham could not be reached for comment.

Abraham allegedly sent millions of letters and postcards telling recipients that they had been selected in a promotion to receive either a Lincoln Continental car, a five-day Bahamas vacation cruise for two, gemstones or a fur coat in exchange for an $88 shipping and handling fee.

When victims sent in the $88, they got letters saying they would receive two gifts if they sent in another $78. Those who did received a third letter advising them that they had won the Bahamas cruise, but that a $70 deposit was required, authorities said. Most got nothing in return, while other victims received uncut gemstones or virtually worthless travel coupons, authorities said.

Abraham reportedly operated the direct mail business under at least 13 company names and in many locations. The most recent location was 8222 Melrose Ave. in Hollywood, according to a complaint filed by the city attorney’s office.

But Abraham left that address, and special state Justice Department agents are following leads that indicate that Abraham may have moved his operation out of California. Kwan said authorities in Oregon also have filed civil charges of unfair business practice.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Jerry Smilowitz said it is unusual for the state Justice Department to get involved in such a case, in which the crimes are misdemeanors.

“What caught our attention was the sheer volume of complaints, the nature and persistence of the misrepresentations, and the fact that it has been going on for years,” Smilowitz said. “We believe the 400 complaints are only the tip of the mountain and that there are a vast number of victims.”

The investigation was launched early this year after hundreds of victims began filing complaints with local, state and federal authorities.

Abraham stayed in operation by using many aliases, operating under business names such as Melville Brothers, Vacations and Cruises by Jason, and Wardon & Sons, authorities said.

In all, Abraham was charged with 18 counts, including six of false and misleading advertising and two of theft. The rest were assorted business code violations.