Related Federal Cases
- Todd Faustin, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · Ohio
- Kenneth Thom, Investment Adviser Fraud, New York NY, 2026 · Virginia
- Kenneth Thom, Investment Adviser Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · North Carolina
- Mark Thompson, Wire Fraud and Conspiracy, New York NY, 2023 · Ohio
- Attyx CEOs, $275M Solar Panel Installation Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · New York
Defendant Charged with Defrauding Over 2,000 Victims in Apartment Rental Scam
Robert Guzman, a 42-year-old Bronx resident, was arrested this morning and charged with mail fraud in connection with a fraudulent apartment rental scheme that claimed more than 2,000 victims in New York City. According to federal authorities, Guzman operated two websites, amazingapartmentrentals.com and equityproject.net, where he posted apartments supposedly available for rent in New York City and charged a fee to view the apartments.
Between 2013 and 2016, victims paid Guzman more than $100,000 in application fees, but were never able to view the apartments, some of which were not even in New York City, and others of which were not available for rent. Guzman, who has no real estate licenses, has been charged with mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara praised the efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in this investigation, saying, “Robert Guzman allegedly defrauded more than 2,000 victims who were searching for a place to live in New York City. He allegedly created websites that took advantage of these victims’ desire to find affordable housing in New York city, taking fees from victims to view apartments, when in fact some of the apartments were not even in New York or available for rent.”
USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett added, “Mr. Guzman took advantage of the need for affordable housing by allegedly devising a scheme to defraud those who could least afford to lose their hard-earned funds to a scam. Today’s arrest by Postal Inspectors, exemplifies our Agency’s commitment to bring individuals to justice whose greed overshadows honesty and decency.”
Guzman will be presented before the Honorable James C. Francis IV later today. The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Warren in charge of the prosecution.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Office’s General Crimes Unit. This case is a reminder that law enforcement agencies will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators of financial crimes to justice.
The scam, which operated from 2013 to 2016, targeted individuals searching for affordable housing in New York City. Guzman’s scheme involved posting fake apartment listings on his websites, which were designed to look legitimate, and charging victims a fee to view the apartments. However, the apartments were often not available for rent or were not even located in New York City.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
