Foreign National Arrested for Selling Bogus Lakers Playoff Tickets on eBay

Los Angeles: On June 7, 2004, at about 12:00 p.m., detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Computer Crimes Unit, arrested 26-year-old Scott Raymond Thomas, as he exited a plane from Australia at the Los Angeles International Airport. Thomas was arrested after a six month long investigation. The investigation revealed that Thomas used the Internet based auction site, “eBay,” to bilk over $80,000 from several Los Angeles area residents. Thomas would advertise and sell items on eBay and accept payments for items he never possessed. One of Thomas’ victims said that they paid $25,000 to Thomas for season tickets for the Los Angeles Lakers, which they never received. In addition to Lakers tickets, Thomas also sold rock and roll memorabilia and tickets to other California professional sporting events.

Thomas was arrested and booked for Grand Theft, Attempt Grand Theft, and Auction Fraud.

He is being held on $1.5 million dollars bail and was charged by the District Attorney’s Office. He is expected to be arraigned in Division 30 of Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 West Temple Street, on Tuesday, June 8, 2004.

Detectives believe that Thomas has victimized people throughout the United States and the world. Anyone who believes that they may be a victim of Thomas or have information regarding this incident is asked to contact Commercial Crimes Division Detectives, at 213-485-4131. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.