A model allegedly scammed rich L.A. 'sugar daddies' by exploiting their great weakness

The social media influencer is accused of targeting older men across L.A. County through dating apps and social media platforms, posing as their girlfriend before robbing their homes.

She has denied the allegations. At the same time, more men have come forward to make allegations against her.

The case has been marked by twists and turns, including a connection to a one-time candidate for California governor.

Her attorney says Lavie suffered from years of abuse. Instead of using traditional dating apps, the attorney said, she was on “sugar daddy websites” where the men paid for control.

Lavie — who authorities say also goes by the names Mia Ventura, Shoshana and Shana — was arrested earlier this year and is accused of luring wealthy older men and younger women into dates before robbing, stealing from and extorting them in the tony haunts of Westlake Village, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

She is facing trial on two counts of grand theft and two counts of first-degree residential burglary from incidents in L.A. County. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges that could result in a prison sentence of more than 11 years.

She was arrested again last week after a Riverside County caper in which she allegedly stole a man’s Rolex and luxury Louis Vuitton accessories and drove off in his Tesla Cybertruck. During that arrest, Beverly Hills officers learned she had removed her court-ordered GPS monitoring ankle bracelet, leading her to be jailed.

Between 2023 and 2025, Lavie allegedly used dating apps and developed relationships to steal from wealthy older men and younger women in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, the Los Angeles County district attorney said earlier this year.

Lavie allegedly posed as their girlfriend and stole cash, gold and high-end designer items from their homes, authorities say. If convicted, she could get 11 years and eight months in prison.

The model first won international attention in October, when the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released a special bulletin with Lavie’s photo and physical description — 5 feet 7 and 104 pounds — and encouraged possible victims to contact sheriff’s detectives.

Lavie had allegedly used dating apps and social media platforms to target older men across the county, exploit their desire for sex, and stole from them. Investigators said that after posing as a girlfriend or companion, Lavie would burglarize the men’s homes.

Her charges, according to investigators, stem from incidents involving five alleged victims.

After the Sheriff’s Department released its initial bulletin, more than 10 other potential victims have come forward with allegations, Det. Angela Lopez told The Times in 2025. Alleged victims have also filed police reports against Lavie in Hermosa Beach; Henderson, Nev.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; as well as in France and Italy.

In one of her cases, prosecutors allege Lavie stole $121,500 from a 78-year-old man she was dating. According to Los Angeles County court records, Lavie allegedly took $17,500 in U.S. currency, $100,000 in designer clothes and gold coins valued at $4,000 from the man’s Van Nuys home.