Oceanside CA— In April 2016, Yair Zilberman contacted the 96-year-old victim in a senior neighborhood of Oceanside and provided the victim a quote for multiple services related to air duct replacement and insulation. Zilberman operated under the company name “American Way Remodeling” and the victim was provided a quote for a home improvement project. Zilberman completed a portion of the work but stopped after claiming the victim had mold in his attic. Zilberman took the victim to the bank where $15,000 was withdrawn to remediate the mold. It was later determined there had never been any mold. Zilberman initially agreed to refund the victim’s money but sent a check with insufficient funds.
On June 13^th, 2016, Zilberman was taken into custody in Los Angeles County by Oceanside Police Detectives. It was later determined Zilberman had also been involved with a recent similar incident in Escondido. He was ultimately booked into the Vista Detention Facility for PC 368(d) Financial Elder Abuse and a parole violation.
The Oceanside and Escondido Police Departments are investigating to determine if there are other unreported incidents and/or victims.
Potential victims or witnesses are asked to call Oceanside Police Detective Karla Williams at (760) 435-4771 or Escondido Police Detective John LaRose at 760-835-4730.