Unemployment Insurance Fraud Yields Mass Arrests in Beverly Hills | NBCLA

Police say nearly half a million dollars in cash and nearly 90 people have been arrested. Randy Mac reported on NBC4 News on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.
---
Don’t miss an NBCLA video, subscribe here: bit.ly/2NnofFF
For more, visit NBCLA.COM here: bit.ly/2uB6niE
On Facebook: bit.ly/2uFU1px
On Twitter: bit.ly/2JsBm5Y
About NBCLA
The West Coast flagship station of the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, serving the vast region since 1949. NBC4 produces 43 hours each week of local news and weather, and the station features the largest award-winning investigative unit in Southern California. NBC4’s news operation has received nearly every industry award bestowed on local news, including numerous Los Angeles Emmy and Golden Mike Awards, two national and two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Peabody Award. NBC4 news is delivered across the main broadcast on channel4, at www.nbcla.com, and through multiple interactive social media platforms 24/7. The NBC Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, also operates COZI TV (www.cozitv.com), a national network that brings viewers some of America’s most beloved and iconic television shows and movies.
#NBC #NBCLA

[@910solid6]

And here I am being turned down everytime I need it to the point I'm homeless

[@910solid6]

@Oscar Leon you wish punk. Try discriminated against enough to the point where It's begun to hurt. I've worked more than both your parents put together spoon fed.

[@223tro]

910 Solid uh oh another oppressed victim of the world. You got the whole squad tearin up Keeshawn

[@910solid6]

@@223tro I'm not pouring two thoughts into you. In two weeks don't come looking for me. You brought it in yourself.

[@223tro]

@@910solid6 you smokin ketamine my guy? what you on

[@oliviaortiz5157]

Your not alone, I work my a+-$$&&- off and the day I need it can't get!!! But as soon as we start working!!! Uncle shame, and the dirt bags in Gov, get paid before we do! Isn't that a dog shame😠🤮🤔

[@someothergrl16]

Ok so now they arrested people who stole thousands of dollars from covid relief funds, when will they arrest the people who stole tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands? And what about the large corporations who took money meant for small businesses, will they be arrested, or do the rich have a different standard of justice to go by?

[@reefaa7043]

People don't want to talk about that tho

[@sevinkamuels5461]

Is that still a question? In America obviously will always be the case.

[@nantucket897]

Exactly

[@breestone8978]

That doesnt apply to rich people

[@dabznslugg9492]

Million dollar loans that doesn’t have to be paid back

[@WanderingRationalist]

Identity theft should be a felony

[@ventureted]

it is.

[@23rdpsalm_._]

Only in Liberal run states would you get a pinch on the arm. Thats why thieves choose these places to steal.

[@oliviaortiz5157]

Should be but according to the government it's to steal anyone's ID and through them under the bus in debt, steal thier credit, cash account, and the thief's get a court date to get their hand slapped, while the poor idiots that got robbed battle through life🤣👋🤦☹️ what a joke of country laws🤣😅😹🤣😅😹🤣😅😹

[@malcolmboy21]

It should. My brother can’t buy a house or car because apparently he has one. Yet he don’t. His identity so screwed up and the laws are so piss poor he gave up. He literally just let them destroy his name. Smh this is sad.

[@Haywood2]

Andrew Friedman it is a felony but I suspect the law is not working.

[@acrnm]

They’ll probably be able to pick which prison they’d like to vacation at.

[@virginia33]

Yes like they did with Aunt Becky from full house wow and I'm still waiting for my unemployment their not even getting arrested unless caught wow I should of done that to get my money quicker but I bradder wait for mine legitly

[@ventureted]

@@virginia33 everyone going to federal prison gets to choose/request what prison they go to. It is the standard.

[@leohernandez4739]

And choice of diet. All vegan diet? Check.

[@michelleelmore5533]

They should be in jail for scamming . That’s crazy

[@tunafish6092]

Make them pay back 10x the amount and placed on 5 years probation. Not allowed to receive any government funding for 5 years.

[@kaos1353]

make them work prison work farm hard labor $1 a day till paid off

[@zenithfitness1501]

If you do that there will be an even bigger BLM riot

[@coachjayy]

@@zenithfitness1501 very smart aren't we?

[@naturalTJ]

No more gov funding ever!!!!

[@brad4058]

Nah, even better, throw them in California state prisons. Anyone who knows about prison life here in Cali knows its gonna be a long brutal life. A 3 month sentence can turn into 20yrs cuz of prison gangs.

[@nikkijusticeontherun341]

Names faces and cases have been withheld from this story. Something ain't right.

[@jhaymuenster8310]

I don’t know, it sounds about white to me.

[@joshyoon]

Wow. These criminals don’t even go to jail. I guess crime does pay.

[@justpassingthrough.808]

Only in blue States.

[@smoothmove5250]

I wonder what color these scammers are? No outrage on TV about this. I think I know why.

[@Dior444L]

Johnny one doesn’t have anything to do with the laws bruh all these rich people just bail themselves out, real quick.

[@justpassingthrough.808]

@Luis Torres Here's some sign language for you then.🖕

[@Brotha00]

@@smoothmove5250 I looked it up, you’re on assistance with an EDD card.

[@mulliniks51]

This just in ! - Still no arrests on Wall Street !

[@lambertlum1087]

What happen on Wall Street?

[@nikkijusticeontherun341]

No one finds it odd that cards were sent in 3 to 4 days and everyone else had to wait??? What's really going on here? Sounds like an inside job

[@lenaely6146]

Right. Because everyone legitimately applying is having to wait 3-4 MONTHS for benefits 🙄⚖️🕵️ that's America though 🙄

[@TrinaBinaBaby]

Sounds like they’re getting internal department assistance...

[@nikkijusticeontherun341]

@@TrinaBinaBaby exactly. I don't know why that was left out of the story. The qualifications for independent contractors were ridiculous. There is no way the process would have taken a mere 3 to 4 business days. People were on hold here with the dlr for close to that long. Unless these applications were flagged some how for the edd workers In on the scam to know to push the application through. They were asking for tax information and everything. I just don't see this being anything else

[@remingtonsteel5945]

YOU ARE HIGHLY INTELIGENT NIKKY...AND WHEN THEY ARE CAUGHT ... THEY ONLY ARE FINGERPRINTED AND GIVEN A ''TICKET'' TO APPEAR IN COURT ..SOME TIME IN THE 25 Th CENTURY....IF EVER...!

[@wildandliving]

Isn't this also fraud which is a more serious offense. Why not charge both I'd theft and fraud

[@IndigoWarriors-ui7fu]

Identity theft

[@marccrossland785]

No Risk theft. Sounds like a good system, state of California.

[@diangelo0714]

Yeah, that needs to change.

[@joddo1991]

Happens everywher...

[@rebeccagalvan2853]

Well go arrest our whole government!!!

[@sashland]

Mug shots? Wanted posters? Who are these people and who organized them???

[@KaliMaaaaa]

They just charged one of em, a "rapper"....let's hope he get the max 22 years.

[@I41535D]

Armenians

[@char8095]

Don’t they know this type of behavior is reserved for politicians?

[@venkata6310]

They have to prove themselves in order to be admitted to both the Parties and win the Primary

[@jonathandow684]

Somebody at The department California Unemployment division need to be fired.

[@I41535D]

Yeah it’s easy to find that person Just check the surname of an Armenian and boom problem solve next!

[@vt3140]

How they collect money? It should be authorized by their employers before approval. It’s not inside jobs? California system is broken. It is really officially Third world state.

[@jasonlee8497]

Vanessa G. ....very good point....

[@NPC13377]

Everything is online. They would access the EDD card under someone else's name and use it as their own.

[@vt3140]

NPC #1337 I heard and in the news (if true) majorities are prisoners name. How they collect EDD? How being approved? Approval first of employers before approval of EDD. Some fishy is goin on inside of EDD. Very suspicious.

[@NPC13377]

@@vt3140 Accounts are available on the dark web just like how scammers gain access to credit card accounts. Usually they will find accounts with funds already there so they don't have to certify every 2 weeks.

[@MsMst12]

@97RAVINEAVE yes who was giving this info to edd, last job etc

[@iganinja6742]

If ca cant even figure out unemployment you sure their going figure out voting. Poor leadership

[@GuyronBarnes-og2co]

If you can't spell or use proper grammar you should not write on this subject...

[@goodstuff8953]

Criminals always find a way. No matter the leadership.

[@JJKid-yw7vk]

Talk to Trump 😂😂😂

[@outdoorsguy]

Elections are held by the counties, not the state.

[@GuyronBarnes-og2co]

@Neil P. You a gay blade ?, yeah you're a gay blade...

[@PrettyStraightforwardBudgets]

🤯🤯🤯 just gross.

[@jin2634]

How are they getting approved so quickly?

[@brad4058]

Cuz of the people inside EDD. If you’ve seen the pictures of those caught and arrested and then take a look inside a California EDD office, you can quickly make a connection and see what’s going on.

[@georgewallace103]

Why not go to California and commit fraud? What’s the punishment? A slap on the wrist!

[@gbrown2984]

California Government did it to themselves..when they reduced the high end thefts to misdemeanors. We get car battery thefts left and right - filing a police report is useless. You are right. thieves come here because they know they wont go to jail

[@georgewallace103]

gbrown - You’re 100% correct! Leftist government screwing the citizens and businesses and both are fleeing California. A friend just retired and moved to San Diego very recently and the cheapest apartment he could find was 2 bedrooms at $2,000.00 a month! I wonder what kind of neighborhood is that in?

[@rversocal8889]

Wouldn’t those actions also be federal crimes? After a state charge, couldn’t the feds bring charges too?

[@jackieelliott2992]

You would think so sense they are crossing states lines to commit these crimes. Feel sorry for the victims targeted

[@jayzeee2734]

Yeah

[@alyssadiceflipper5201]

The amount of money involved should be enough to get other agencies involved.

[@IndigoWarriors-ui7fu]

@@alyssadiceflipper5201 The feds are involved. This is HUGE and there are LOTS more people that are living in California that are part of this just have NOT been caught. There are lots more SoCal residents part if it. I have no proof but if I did...

[@damien1781]

@@IndigoWarriors-ui7fu no it is people from out of state pretending to live in California to collect unemployment while collecting unemployment from their own state. They are stupid to think they eventually won't get figured out!

[@thedona.r.kbnoah7334]

If I get rich I'm not moving to Beverly Hills👎

[@inaminute2312]

Who would have ever imagined...🤦‍♀️🤷‍♂️

[@michellehuerta3534]

It’s crazy because I remember seen all kinds of people in Beverly Hills lines up at the designer stores that looked shifty. I knew something was up 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@geraldgreauxjr.7106]

Pretty stupid like anyone cares wtf you have on while being on zoom!!!!! Offices are mostly closed, if you are presently working, 60 percent of people are wearing a uniform of some sort at a fast food place or grocery store. Most malls are 70 unoccupied, Clubs are shut down so what's the point? To sell to another idiot like themselves?? When the sh!t really hits the fan, designer wear will be worth nothing. It pretty much already is. I guess if they need spend a ton on clothing to make themselves feel better they really need more help than we think? But if that's the only way to flip those funds then it will be much easier to get caught,they will just locate them on craigslist n offer up. Good luck, smh

[@michellehuerta3534]

@B BG I R L, you’re reaching .

[@mikeicee]

It’s better than working 8 hours to get 5 hours pay. Good for them.

[@YourfriendChrisEspinoza]

That’s a waste of tax payer money.

[@YourfriendChrisEspinoza]

cosmicVox13 that too.

[@YourfriendChrisEspinoza]

Debra Frazier well, not always. There are some crooked republicans too.

[@lindamcdermott2205]

Keep arresting those greedy ...

[@IsaacDozier1]

In WA, some of the ID's scammers were using were of the departments own employees. The anti-fraud detection system they claimed to have couldn't even identify it's own damn employees. Meanwhile, I didn't receive a penny for almost 4 months...

[@weozol4065]

this is our fault for taxing those who want to make money, and giving it to those who don't. we incentives people to be bums. don't be shocked when they arrive.

[@weozol4065]

@Dogs Sing lol yes what is wrong with that? what is gonna happen? were gonna get more business coming here from across the globe pouring money and resources into this country. vice versa tax them and they leave with their resources, jobs, inventions, cures, everything, it would be a state of idiots. like you.

[@dorotheahh]

So if the can’t be arrested or there’s no bail, they get away

[@DeeOne88]

They are set free and ticketed. No arrest

[@michaellyman7249]

they learned how to CODE.

[@luisarrue7758]

Rich people are not rich by default.. they milk the system

[@R3cuzican]

“Thru an informant “

[@isaac198428]

"Identify theft is not an arrestable offence" ... So these crooks can steal your entire life savings and not even see the inside of a jail, but you drive a car without Insuarance or suspended license because of parking tickets and they're quick to lock you up. Welcome to America. Smh!

[@ThingsILikke]

In California you wouldn’t get arrested for that because it’s non-violent. And other states he would get arrested for driving without insurance though and probably lose your car I know you can in New York as long as you’re a citizen. Illegal immigrants don’t get punished at all though and that’s actually true I looked it up.

[@ThePandaPhotographer]

This is why the world is burning now. Acts of un carènes

[@JohnDoe-bf1fw]

...and with the money they stole they bought over priced luxury consumer crap: A higher level of stupid.

[@davidp2707]

And 10% goes back to the state right off the top

[@thomasskodzinsky3255]

It's a way to get cash for said luxury items. You know, money laundering...

[@damien1781]

@@thomasskodzinsky3255 they aren't returning that sh1t. These hood goblins are waisting the money on items they will barely use.

[@thomasskodzinsky3255]

@@damien1781 Maybe they went "hood" during the scheme.... 😁

[@gustavoaragon4194]

@@damien1781 Or sale them E-bay or amazon

[@jetlerouge007xxo4]

Uh huh. I live in Vegas and I’ve been seeing them at the forum shops and balling out like crazy! It’s easy to spot newly found “ money”

[@lashawnbrown5009]

This is crazy.

[@simon5005]

Isn't Unemployment in Beverly Hills an oxymoron???

[@slappy0077]

if its so easy to do this why cant i get in on the action LOL

[@disasterresponder8861]

Your caught now, you wanna be criminal

[@supremesummaries7325]

Because you’re an idiot. These cyber demons are smarter than we think

[@gabilanplaza]

One of my neighbors never worked a day in her life and yet again she received EDD.

[@ChuckTaylaTV]

Meanwhile... I can't even get my SBA or EIDL loan when I did everything the right way smh

[@97xo_26]

This world shouldn't be ran on money anyways....

[@MegTelevised]

Agreed. One of the worst social constructs

[@gtavlossantosisadriverstown]

Dont ya just love invisible surveillance???

[@r.c3749]

And what about the postal service, they shouldn't be able to deliver so many to one address. "Red Flag" Possible inside job. Investigate all involved.

[@pimpownzu]

Why blame the Post office? Blame the people making checks out to the same address... Post office only deliver as instructed

[@b2.y]

TeejayX6 watching this like: lmaooooo

[@DarkstarDarth]

Silly me...li thought any theft over $950 was a felony last I checked. How are 90 people stealing $497,000 tax dollars get no jail time? WTH

[@Atclav]

Not one racist comment on this but if the address was inner city.......

[@nicolenelson6180]

EXACTLY 💯💯💯💯💯

[@sAMiAm1]

Right smh

[@moemkane41]

You think they would use the money wisely lol nope just gucci,room rentals, and cars.

[@mariamyers8108]

OMG UNBELIEVABLE WHAT CRIMINALS DO!!

[@rbsmith3365]

Some young people who filed false claims on government business loan that their businesses don’t exist either. Just purchased Lamborghini cars, Rolexes, etc. sad.

[@MsMst12]

yea ans some got caught like that idiot rapper

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

BAD TITLE; it's IDENTITY THEFT that got them "arrested", not EI fraud. There's also no mention of what cultural "group" this represents, but methinks I know. This has to be coordinated on a pretty large scale.

[@smoothmove5250]

Me thinks I know too...that why their faces are not shown.

[@tailorforeman7082]

White people

[@billj3494]

Scammers are also using senior citizen dating websites. They get lonely seniors to give up their home address. Then start sending them multiple applications for unemployment. They then ask a favor of their new relationship, they ask them then to forward these applications to another address. Once the debit cards start arriving at the seniors home they are instructed to let the scam artist know. The scammers then instruct them to mail them to another address. All this while thinking that they met a new person to have a relationship with and they’re just doing a favor for them. When actually they are unknowingly committing fraud with them.

[@deniseporch5287]

And to think all the people whose unemployment ended and these people scamming shame on you theses people lively hood on you hands pure greed!

[@tomlord5398]

In the '70s I worked with a guy who was cashing in on unemployment using 18 different names. He bought a 2-story apartment building in the Wilshire District with the money. He got caught on 3 of the names, and since he had a job, was allowed to jail on weekends. That meant Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning.

[@marystamara2012]

other than having mug shots and finger prints on file, what is the point of arresting them. I am surprised they hadn't spent all the money yet, that the police even recovered any money. They will do this again. Almost can guarantee they will do this over and over again until they happen to hit a state in which has a bail for crimes like this. Oregon does as well as Washington, both have bail on crimes on identity theft and fraud of this level. I suspect that someone will comment on here its because its a blue state problem, but I can tell you for a 100% assurance that this isn't a blue state thing. It happens to Red states as well in fact there are many more red states this happens in than blue. Just had to say something cause I know someone will comment about it being a blue state problem at some point.

[@lexiboo1935]

I can’t even get one check and this is going on

[@soksan1091]

EDD needs to verify employment, eligibility, and resident before sending out money. This is crazy!

[@dgirls4life134]

This is sad ...and a lot of us are suffering needing our funds. And these thieves out here living it up i cant understand why they always get any and every before the ppl in this world thats truthful and really need things...i cant stand a thief and a lair....

[@audreyknowsbest7138]

This is why I can’t get no Money!

[@kxmode]

Oh my goodness. I watched one EDD fraud video and it turned into a rabbit hole of EDD Fraud videos. 😳

[@DarthJay91]

Wow. Hope you follow up on what happens in the case.

[@icemike1]

No bankers or ceos going to jail

[@MrDarren5012]

Fraud is very wrong.. but unemployment insurance is paid by the worker and employer..not tax dollars

[@Rose-gv9ff]

Just Sickening!

[@kaos1353]

make them work prison work farm hard labor $1 a day till paid back

[@i.m.7710]

Why would they shop at inflated retail prices?

[@geraldgreauxjr.7106]

Maybe to burn up the card quick, wait awhile n then return the stuff later for actual cash maybe? A couple stores of returned goods for cash is easier than 30 stores running around n keep track of everything bought?

[@Techpodshed]

Then they getting released asap

[@caridumont2785]

People act like they are so entitled to free money....or somebody else's money. Yet they do not work to earn their own money. Thieves. Slap on the wrist, and no jail time.

[@copperinstaller9215]

Yeah and the system wants all money to be electronic .

[@dardalion3199]

Some of us are simply homeless and have difficulty proving residence. Thats the problem. Even if you were here paying taxes for years. Out of state people need to stay in their states system.

[@astralfluxaf]

I didn’t know that about the law in California for identity theft. I don’t know who voted for that, but literally it makes you almost want to steal identities because you basically don’t get in trouble.

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

Weren't they let go because it was non violent crime?

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

@Majestic Minded Hopefully that this is true because this state has a problem with doing what it says

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

@Majestic Minded I won't believe it, until I see it because California isn't like other states when it comes to criminal activity

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

@Majestic Minded It's not that I don't agree with you, it's just so many people get away with so much and after they get caught being charged for hardly nothing from here in California.

[@cynthiasayman198]

Its ppl like that is what make life bad for everyone 🙄😳

[@chrisg2628]

Give them at least 10 years in prison 😬!!!! Trump 2020 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸👍

[@chicofromph33nix64]

I saw the reporter at the end,and thought,is that randy? It was!!! But I meant randy Jackson.. lol

[@denisehicks7525]

Yea. Hope they catch them all. Everyone must help out here and help the people and state.

[@MykwWayne]

Great job NBC4LA!!

[@JVONROCK]

2 days ago tucker talked to the mayor, he looked an talked questionably.

[@ludwigbeethoven3119]

Abolish EDD and unemployment/disability tax. WHen the Federal Reserve bankrupts U.S Bonds and the USdollar, people will see never trust centralized government power. Mutual aid from your strong family, friends and community...of course all these are in decline due to government encroachment...

[@lolzorsPwnage]

Zero bail offense what a joke

[@Chris-Indio]

Mail in ballots makes perfect sense in California

[@frommyview2470]

Dam 100k plus with no jail where do I sign up 😂 🤦‍♂️

[@tf5447]

These people are CRAZY! I would be so scared to do something like this! 😧

[@walalopez6735]

*offenders don’t even go to jail*

[@YonWorld]

90 arrested but nobody went to jail because its a nonviolent crime. The system 😂

[@digitalpatriot2705]

I didn't know money could be arrested.

[@fahkinlosah8469]

And they are arresting city officials and police officers as well??

[@Kwameking1]

Thank you LAPD...Great work.

[@CUZZBass-hy7nj]

Same thing is going on in Michigan!

[@benjaminogle11]

isn't this more than identity theft? I am pretty sure this would also be mail fraud, no? that is a federal offense with much harsher sentencing guidelines. Why didn't he ask that question - sheesh.

[@jaybrick8973]

Ppl are so selfish that money is for ppl struggling to make ends meet smh

[@blackerpanther3329]

I’m curious of the ethnicity of the perpetrators

[@nicholasthompson7690]

Horrible

[@lizagates6252]

Wow. I've never stolen anything, but the GOVERNMENT?????

[@JGBerserkR22]

Give them life

[@dardalion3199]

Another problem is they do not have separate systems for Unemployment, family leave, and now Covid. They shut down the state cutting off so many jobs because of covid. Its hard to prove someone was not affected by it and its all in the same EDD system. They need better tech and security

[@JaslineXD]

I’m on pregnancy disability leave, and because of of these scumbags did an unemployment claim, I am unable to do a claim for my disability benefits. I am not working, about to have a baby, and EDD just tells me to file for fraud which who knows how long it will take until that’s resolved, and then I have to apply for my disability benefits which takes weeks. I’m so done with the system, and those people just get a ticket! They deserve jail time!

[@crand20033]

I don't get it. The employer has to approve the benefits. You can't just apply and unemployment comp.