Investigation continuing into Lancaster gym fraud allegations

LANCASTER, Calif. (KABC) -- Potentially hundreds of victims were scammed by the After the Sports Club AV in Lancaster, which had allegedly charged members for multiple months in advance before filing for bankruptcy and abruptly shutting its doors in September.

"The owner had double the dues for some of the members and took the money out through bank accounts withdrawals and then closed the business immediately," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Miguel Ruiz said. "So we're investigating this as a theft through false pretenses."

According to detectives, victims have lost thousands of dollars.

"Potentially if we are looking at about 600 victims with (a) possible estimate of $100 (for) each victim that was charged, it's close to about $60,000," Ruiz explained.

Initial attempts by Eyewitness News to contact the gym's owner have been left without response.

The building that once housed the gym continues to sit empty since closing.

"We don't have any arrest charges, we have charges that are pending. We are continuing on with the investigation," Ruiz said. "I know there's a lot of anger, there's a lot of upset people out there. The physical business itself is no longer in control by the owner of the sports club. We want to let people know not to vandalize the business."