After a three month investigation a skilled con-man who preys on elderly women has been arrested, officials reported.
Booking photo of Frank Szabo. (Riverside County Sheriff's Department)
Investigators learned that Frank Szabo, 53, swindled at least $50,000 from two elderly women in the Perris and Homeland area who grew to trust Szabo.
“He is a professional con-man,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Glenn Johnson explained. “These women are in their 70’s and have big hearts.”
Szabo played on the women’s heart and purse strings by claiming to have an ailing family member in need of a lifesaving operation.
“He met one of the victims at church. He knows what he’s doing, making himself appear like an upstanding guy,” Johnson said. “He is keenly aware of his prey.”
Another one of his recent victims worked her entire life, had paid off her home and the sweet-talking Szabo convinced her to take out a $40,000 loan on her home, Johnson added.
“The day he got the money from her, he went out and bought a new Mercedes Benz,” said Johnson. “That woman now faces the possibility of losing her home and she is terrified.”
Szbazo, a Menifee resident is no stranger to the law. He was arrested in 1997 for bilking ten unsuspecting Orange County women out of nearly $100,000 by crying the same sad tunes.
He spent two years in jail for his Orange County crimes.
During his time in Los Angeles he was the vice-president of Simi Valley Bank where he allegedly filled out fake loan applications, approved them himself and kept the money, according to an L.A. Times article.
Investigator Johnson is fairly certain there are other victims out there and urges them to come forward.
“There is no need to be embarrassed, we want other victims to get angry and come forward to help stop this man from doing this to anyone else,” the investigator said sternly.
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Glenn Johnson from the Perris Station at 951-201-0540.
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