A con artist has been arrested after one of her victims helped police find her through Facebook. Victim Stephanie Younger says the woman she knew as Gia Hendricks came across as stylish and wealthy. She claimed to be looking for an assistant to attend Hollywood events for her modeling agency.
Younger took the job and gave Hendricks her bank account information for payroll purposes. Hendricks issued Younger paychecks and asked her to withdraw surplus amounts. The checks bounced and Hendricks disappeared. After finding other victims online, Younger created a Facebook profile and helped the police with a sting operation, in order to find the perpetrator.
A joint investigation between Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach police resulted in the arrest Tuesday of the 40-year-old woman. She is charged with fraud, forgery, and identity theft.
Police say Gia Hendricks is just one of many aliases used by Maria Christina Johnson. She is wanted in Washington and Oregon for similar crimes.
