London, Dec 6 (IANS): Filmmaker Ang Lee has revealed that his first trip to Los Angeles was quite a let down, as he was robbed by a group of so-called "do-gooders".

The "Life of Pi" director travelled across the US by bus and arrived in Los Angeles at 4 a.m. With little money, he attempted to find a room at a YMCA shelter, but the hostel was closed and he had to rely on the generosity of a group of strangers he met on the street, reports dailystar.co.uk.

"They said, 'You can come live with us. We'll take your $10 until you can find a place. They told me they were extras in the plane-crashing scene in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'. I stayed at their place, and when I got up in the morning, I opened my window, looked out, and saw the Hollywood sign," Lee said.

"Then I checked my wallet, and all of my money was gone. Stolen. Later I went to the bank, got more money, and ended up having a good time. That was my first experience in LA," he added.