Travel Agent Arrested for Scam in Northeast Area NR10466cj

September 28, 2010

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Northeast detectives are asking for victims who may have been scammed by 48-year-old Alvard Davtyan to come forward.

On September 9, 2010, LAPD Northeast Area detectives arrested Davtyan at her home in the 1700 block of Golf Club Drive in Glendale for Grand Theft involving fourteen victims between April 2010 and September 2010.  The detectives’ investigation revealed the victims purchased airline tickets from Davtyan, who was acting as a travel agent.  Davtyan then failed to purchase the tickets for the victims, leaving the victims stranded at the airports.

Generally, the victims discovered the fraud when they arrived at the airport while trying to fly out to their vacation destination.  Several of the victims were stranded in other countries because their airline tickets back to the United States were never purchased.

Davtyan is described as a female Armenian with brown hair and brown eyes.  She stands about 5 feet tall and weighs about 130 pounds.  She was arrested and booked for Grand Theft 487 P.C. and held on $20,000 bail.  Her arraignment is scheduled for September 29, 2010

Detectives believe there could be additional victims and strongly encourage anyone who has more information or may have been subjected to Davtyan’s fraud to come forward and call Northeast Detectives Wells or Hovhanessian at 213-485-2566.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.