LOS ANGELES, California — Two cousins from Southern California and Colorado have pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to a nationwide rental scam involving online short-term property platforms.
Shray Goel, a 37-year-old from Calabasas, California, admitted to one count of wire fraud, while Shaunik Raheja, a 36-year-old from Denver, Colorado, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office.
The duo began their fraudulent activities in 2013, operating under various business names such as Abbot Pacific LLC and Jet Set Work LLC. They listed properties for short-term rental across multiple cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, and Austin, among others…