Additional Victims Sought In Hollywood Apartment Scam

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Authorities sought the public's help Tuesday in finding anyone who may have fallen prey to an apartment scam in which would-be renters made security deposit and rent payments for a Hollywood-area apartment that never became available.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Johnny Ray Gasca, 48, allegedly listed the apartment on Craigslist, then collected security deposits and first month's rent from potential renters before an agreed upon move-in date.

But Gasca would later tell his victims that the room would not be available on the agreed-upon date, and he would give various excuses for the delay -- such as the death of one of the current tenant's relatives, police said.

Victims would eventually demand their money back, but many never received full refunds, police said.

Gasca was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, but he is free on bail, according to police and county jail records.

Anyone with any information or may have been victimized was asked to call LAPD Hollywood station detectives at (213) 972-2929.

City News Service; Photo: Courtesy of the LAPD