Beverly Hills police arrest 44 for unemployment funds fraud

SEP. 17, 2020 7:43 AM

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Forty-four people have been arrested in Beverly Hills this month for unemployment benefits fraud, police said.

The investigations recovered 129 California Employment Development Department debit cards with a total value exceeding $2.5 million, the Police Department said in a statement Wednesday.

A total of $289,000 in cash also was seized from the suspects along with seven handguns.

The investigation found that people were coming into California from out of state to fraudulently obtain EDD debit cards using stolen identities.

The monetary value placed on the cards can be as high as $20,000 and cardholders are able to withdraw up to $1,000 per day per card, police said.

“The suspects will most often have numerous EDD cards in their possession with other people’s identities, along with large amounts of cash. They will then use the cards to lease short-term rentals, rent luxury vehicles, dine at restaurants and purchase high-end merchandise,” the department said.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...nt-funds-fraud