Lynwood Landlord Accused of Renting Same Unit to Multiple Tenants

Detectives from the sheriff's Century Station today were seeking additional possible victims of a 59-year-old woman accused of taking deposits from multiple prospective renters for the same Lynwood house, but never delivering a key.

Georgina Acosta allegedly posted fliers at stores to advertise a house for rent, said sheriff's Detective Luis Zamorano. She also went by the name Maria Perez, deputies said.

She is suspected of meeting a victim on Monday at a property on Virginia Avenue, introducing herself as a rental property agent and taking a $500 deposit after completing a rental agreement, he said.

When the victim asked for the key to the house, Acosta told her she would provide it at a later time, authorities allege.

On Thursday, Acosta is suspected of meeting with a second victim at the same house and again taking a $500 deposit after concluding a rental agreement, promising once more to provide the key at a later time, according to Zamorano.

"On this occasion, the victim detained the suspect until deputies arrived," Zamorano said, Acosta, who was also identified by the first victim, was arrested for suspicion of forgery and theft by false pretenses.

She was released on her own recognizance.

Zamorano urged anyone else who may have been victimized by Acosta to contact him at (323) 568-4961.

--City News Service