LAPD Seeks Public’s Help Identifying Suspects in Distraction ID Theft Scheme NR26034rc/bb

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Commercial Crimes Division, Metropolitan Financial Section, are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects involved in a series of distraction identity thefts targeting elderly victims throughout Southern California.

On January 15, 2026, at 11:35 a.m., an 83-year-old man went to an ATM in the 2100 block of Colorado Boulevard, suddenly he was distracted by the suspects who stole his card. Shortly after, around 1:00 p.m., the suspects were seen at a local bank in the 800 block of N. San Fernando Boulevard taking the victims funds.

The suspects approach elderly victims while they are conducting transactions at ATMs. Investigators have determined that the suspects work together in a coordinated manner. One suspect closely observes the victim entering their PIN on the ATM keypad. The same suspect then drops a $20 bill behind the victim and taps them on the shoulder to alert them.

As the victim turns to retrieve the money, the second suspect quickly removes the victim’s ATM card from the machine and replaces it with a counterfeit card that closely resembles the original. The victim then unknowingly takes the counterfeit card and leaves the location, unaware that their actual bank card has been stolen. The suspects subsequently use the stolen ATM card to withdraw thousands of dollars from the victim’s account.

The Los Angeles Police Department, in coordination with multiple local law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating these incidents and asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the two individuals responsible.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact The Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, Metropolitan Financial Section Detective Franssen at 213-486-5947. 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 L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS(800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as your local program.