Residents Warned About Con Artist

Police are warning Van Nuys residents about a man who is defrauding people by posing as a neighbor in need of help.

“People are giving him money left and right,” said Los Angeles Police Officer Chuck Leber, who was alerted to the problem by neighbors on his beat. “He’s knocking on doors until 1 o’clock in the morning and as early as 5:30 a.m.”

According to Leber, the con artist is posing as an out-of-work neighbor with two children. He approaches residents in their homes and asks to borrow money to get his car towed or repaired.

Police say the scam, which began between four and six months ago, has netted the man hundreds of dollars from between 20 and 30 residents. Leber said the man is suspected of using the funds to support a “severe narcotic problem.”

Recently, the scams have been centered in the area bordered by Van Nuys Boulevard, Woodman Avenue, Victory Boulevard and Sherman Way. Police also suspect that the man may have been working the same scam in parts of Sherman Oaks and southern Van Nuys a few months ago.

Leber said a man was questioned in February about the scams, but was released for lack of evidence. Recent complaints from other residents has prompted police to believe that the same man is involved.