Detectives Seek Additional Victims of Theft by Trickery Suspect NR20066dm

Hollywood: Burglary/Theft
detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Area
announce the arrest of Leslie Lee for Grand Theft.

Lee operated a psychic reading business in Culver City and met the
victim, a Hollywood resident, several years ago. During an
eight-year period, Lee gained the victim’s trust and claimed the
victim was afflicted with negative energy that was adversely
impacting her life. Lee “verified” the extent of the curse through
a ritual involving eggs, and then required large sums of money to
be given to her to further the “curse removal work.” Lee told the
victim the money would ultimately be returned to her, but this
never occurred. Detectives have spoken to two other victims with
similar accounts and believe more may exist.

These types of scams are more common than one may think and
target emotionally, physically and spiritually vulnerable
victims. The scams often involve eggs and/or bananas to determine
the extent of a curse, and a promise to return any money or
valuables the victim may provide the suspect. Victims are often
reluctant to report these incidents out of embarrassment and fear
of being ostracized and scorned by their friends and family.

Leslie Lee

If you believe you were a victim of this, or similar scams
involving fortune tellers, or if you have additional information,
you are urged to call Hollywood Burglary Detective Patrick Aluotto
at (213) 972-2929. Detective Aluotto can also be reached by email
at 34682@lapd.online. 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 also visit www.lapdonline.org
and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime
Stoppers” menu.Tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile
application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their
local program.