Protecting homeowners and renters from schemers and scammers is one of my top priorities. This week, we scored two victories on behalf of hard-working residents of Queens.
I was able to return more than $40,000 to almost a dozen victims of a rental deposit scam. The defendant collected rental deposits from more than a dozen apartment seekers, delayed their move-in dates for months with various excuses, and ultimately never let any move in.
The defendant took advantage of vulnerable apartment seekers in his own community. The victims were hard-working people from all walks of life looking for a place to call home. For most victims, the rental deposit they gave to the defendant, was everything they had. In the end, I am happy to say, the victims are getting their money back while the defendant will spend time in prison.
In another case, we returned a property deed to its rightful owner after two defendants pleaded guilty to a mortgage scam in which they posed as a deceased homeowner in order to flip a house for quick money. The renovated house is now restored to its intended heir.
If you suspect you are the target of a scam, do not hesitate to contact my Frauds Bureau, at (718) 286-6673, or Frauds@QueensDA.org.
In Friendship,
Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
