Santa Barbara County Sheriff‘s detectives are seeking additional victims of a West Hollywood man who allegedly scammed victims out of thousands of dollars with false promises of luxury vehicles.
Jonathan Tudor, 64, is facing 44 counts of criminal charges related to elder theft, securities fraud, grand theft, witness dissuasion, money laundering, and forgery with an enhancement for aggravated white-collar fraud in all counts.
Tudor was arrested by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives on Tuesday after he allegedly posed as a luxury car executive with BMW and scammed victims out of thousands of dollars while promising to deliver discounted high-end vehicles, according to Raquel Zick, a public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives have identified four Santa Barbara County victims but believe there to be more victims in the Los Angeles area and beyond. The Santa Barbara Police Department has also received similar reports, Zick said.
In November 2024, Tudor allegedly hosted a private event at a Santa Barbara hotel where he invited select people to view a luxury car for what he claimed was an exclusive deal.
Victims were convinced to sign contracts and send Tudor roughly $16,000 for vehicles that never arrived. Tudor allegedly made several excuses for the delays and refused to issue refunds, according to Zick.
Sheriff’s detectives began their investigation on March 30 when one of the victims reported paying for a vehicle that was never delivered.
On Tuesday Sheriff’s detectives executed a search and arrest warrant at Tudor’s home on the 8200 block of Norton Avenue in Los Angeles. There detectives found a large collection of luxury goods valued at more than $250,000.
The luxury items were from brands such as Hermès, Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Saint Laurent. Authorities found no evidence that the vehicles Tudor promised existed.
Tudor was booked in the Santa Barbara County Main Jail without bail for 61 felony counts, including theft by false pretenses, grand theft, money laundering, and financial elder abuse, according to Zick.
He remained in custody as of Friday morning, according to jail inmate records.
On Thursday the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office announced that it filed a felony complaint against Tudor for 44 criminal counts.
Tudor is set to appear in Santa Barbara Superior Court on Monday for an arraignment hearing in Department 8.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate this case. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Tudor can contact Sheriff Detective Kody Kiesow at (805) 681-4150.
Victims can also report crimes anonymously here or call 805-681-4171.