Valleywide : Two More Arrested in Pyramid Scheme
Los Angeles police arrested two more Valley residents this week on suspicion of running a pyramid scheme throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Filiberta Ledesma, 36, also known as Filiberta Gutierrez, of Mission Hills, and Silvina Masias Ruiz, 28, of North Hills, were arrested at their homes Thursday by Los Angeles vice officers, who investigated the scheme after receiving complaints from Valley residents who attended meetings of the organization Friends Helping Friends, Deputy City Atty. Don Kass said.
The two women, working independently, solicited money from victims, promising that they would reap large profits if they would solicit others to invest into the scheme, Kass said.
Ledesma has been charged with one count of running a pyramid scheme and two counts of grand theft after allegedly taking a total of $4,000 from a Pacoima woman and a Sepulveda man, Kass said.
Ruiz, also charged with one count of running a pyramid scheme, allegedly took $2,000 from a North Hollywood woman who said that she had been guaranteed a return of $16,000, Kass said.
If convicted, both women face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each count.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles police arrested two other Valley residents, Liliana Marquez of Northridge and Jose Luis Gonzalez of Winnetka, on suspicion of running a similar pyramid scheme under the name Friends Helping Friends.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
