Deputies Seek Con Man in Scheme to Take Phony Loan Application Fees

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies are looking for a con man who allegedly bilked at least 200 people--including 51 in the Antelope Valley--out of up to $200 apiece by collecting application fees for phony loans, deputies said Friday.

Clayton A. Roberts, 54, of Los Angeles, who remained at large Friday, often preyed on Antelope Valley residents who had lost their jobs or had their hours and salaries reduced, including many in the slumping aerospace industry, said Sgt. Richard Jamison of the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station.

Deputies became aware of the scam last weekend when a crowd of angry clients gathered at the west Palmdale house where Roberts was operating. Roberts, who has a long criminal history, was apparently forced to flee from his outraged clients, deputies said.

None of the Antelope Valley victims ever got a loan, and only two have received their money back, Jamison said.

“It’s hard times right now, and there’s a lot of people out there not able to get loans. There’s something desperate about it in a way,” the sergeant said. “People are in need. I guess they’ll try anything.”

Deputies said Roberts had been operating out of the house at 512 W. Avenue Q-9 since early May and advertising in local newspapers. From February through April, he had an office at 1543 W. Olympic Blvd., west of downtown Los Angeles, where the 150 other transactions occurred, they said.

Jamison said about 20 of Roberts’ Antelope Valley victims forced their way into the Palmdale house last Saturday to seize documents in hopes of recovering their money, apparently forcing Roberts to flee in the process. Deputies later obtained that paperwork and other files from the home.

Among the Antelope Valley victims, some paid as little as $25 apiece, but amounts of $100 were typical and one victim paid $200, Jamison said. Some were seeking second or third mortgage loans of up to $200,000, while others wanted personal loans for smaller amounts, he said.

To appear legitimate, Roberts used copies of actual loan application documents, Jamison said. Deputies plan to seek an arrest warrant for Roberts next week on grand theft charges.