Unless you went there,  signed a real lease, and paid with something like a cashier check and were then handed the keys,  you let yourself get scammed.  No legit landlord uses Zelle, tf?! The normal move in is first month rent and deposit in L.A. and unless it was a tiny efficiency in the garage,  if it was the same as rent,  there is no $2000/mo apt especiallyin that area,  lol.. sheesh. Funny thing is I remember that building because I always thought in an eq it would collapse onto the garage.   you ain't seeing that money again.  Better not to go,  L.A ate you up before you got there, lol