The Glendale Police Department has arrested a suspect involved in a series of scams targeting vulnerable residents seeking affordable housing in Glendale.
In April 2024, the Glendale Housing Authority and the Glendale Police Department uncovered a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Sima Karapetyan, a 47-year-old North Hollywood resident. Karapetyan approached elderly individuals at public aid offices and local non-profit support agencies, falsely claiming to be an employee of the Glendale Housing Authority. She promised her victims access to low-income housing units and improved status on the Section 8 Housing Voucher waiting list in exchange for cash payments.
Further investigation by Glendale Police Detectives revealed that Karapetyan also utilized social media to attract more victims. Since 2021, it was determined that she had taken money from at least 11 victims.
On May 23, 2024, Glendale Police Department’s Financial Crimes Detectives arrested Karapetyan. She remains in custody on $450,000 bail.
Karapetyan has been arraigned on seven counts of Theft by False Pretense and four counts of Elder Abuse in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
