Investigators arrested three people this week who they say made fraudulent federal disaster relief claims for property damage from the recent Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County.

The three defendants, two in California and one in Texas, filed claims seeking FEMA disaster relief funds over damage to homes that they did not own, rent, or have any legitimate interest in, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The alleged crimes didn't only victimize the agency. Still, there are thousands of actual victims in dire need of help, United States Attorney for the Central District of California Joseph McNally said.

"These false claims resulted in badly needed disaster-relief money being denied to actual wildfire victims while these defendants allegedly used property information to illegally line their own pockets," he said.

The bogus claims stem from the deadly and devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, which tore through the Los Angeles Pacific Palisades area and the Los Angeles County city of Altadena after igniting on Jan. 7.

The Palisades and Eaton fires

The combined wildfires scorched more than 60,000 acres, leaving 29 people dead and more than 16,000 structures destroyed.

"The fraud alleged in the three cases include payment of 'other needs assistance' based on false claims of damage to personal property, lost vehicles, and medical and relocation expenses," the according to a DOJ statement.

Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Acting Special Agent...

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