WOODLAND HILLS—Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division is asking for the public’s help to locate additional victims of a dating scam.
The LAPD Blog reported that Wilson Edward Jackson, 37, was arrested on Friday, May 24 in Van Nuys Division for multiple felony charges, all resulting from a dating theft investigation involving dozens of female victims. Jackson has been the subject of numerous identity theft, forgery, and grand theft reports received by the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies, in and out of state, for the past several years.
He targeted single women via social media and other websites seeking a dating relationship. After meeting with his victims, Jackson would ask them for a loan, noting he was having issues with his bank, or that his car was impounded with his wallet inside. He would promise to repay with cash, but would provide the victims with checks written on closed personal bank accounts.
Victims who visited Jackson’s Woodland Hills apartment were victims of identity theft, with Jackson stealing their credit card information and checks from their checkbooks while they slept or used the restroom. He would utilize their stolen information to purchase clothes for himself, pay personal bills, or make travel arrangements for other victims of his scam.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Jackson, or anyone with additional information about this suspect’s activities, is asked to call Detective Stephanie Krajchir, Commercial Crimes Division Financial Crimes Section, at (818) 374-9420.
During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Tipsters may download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
