Los Angeles Urged to Create Anti-Squatter Task Force as $500,000 Extortion Case Highlights Risks
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 5
Los Angeles Urged to Create Anti-Squatter Task Force as $500,000 Extortion Case Highlights Risks
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 5
Summary
Former LAPD Lt. Moses Castillo and investigator Michael Youssef said Los Angeles needs a dedicated anti-squatter task force as professional squatters use fake leases, forged deeds and legal loopholes to seize homes.
The pair said police too often classify complaints as civil landlord-tenant disputes, even when occupants allegedly break in, falsify residency records or exploit procedural delays that can keep owners out for months.
Youssef cited a Long Beach case in which alleged gang-linked occupants tried to transfer a home's title with a fraudulent quitclaim deed and demanded about $500,000 to leave.
Castillo said owners can end up paying $20,000 to $40,000 in 'cash for keys,' plus legal and investigative costs, while neighborhoods face added risks from alleged drug activity, prostitution and violence.
LAPD and Long Beach police said they could not confirm the Long Beach case from the limited details provided, while Castillo argued Los Angeles should become a model for similar task forces nationwide.