Four Charged For Allegedly Pocketing $900K From 4,000 People In NYC Rent Scam, Say Prosecutors

In New York City, Crain's New York Business reports:

• Prosecutors say four apartment brokers defrauded more than 4,000 people out of at least $900,000 by offering New York City apartments that didn't exist or were unavailable. The four were charged with scheme to defraud and acting as real estate brokers without licenses.

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• Prosecutors say the defendants ran Innovative Apartments and Screening Services from December 2005 until May 2008. The defendants are accused of advertising nonexistent apartments online and charging clients $200 for background and credit checks that were never done. Prosecutors say the four ignored clients' demands for refunds or gave only partial repayments.(1)

Source: Four charged in alleged $900K NYC apartment rip-off.

Go here for the New York Attorney General press release on this bust.

Go here and go here for other posts on tenant victims of rent hoaxes.

(1) According to a press release issued by the NY AG's office, Innovative Apartments’ co-owners Nader Jaber and Igor Portnov a.k.a. Bobby Portnov, and employees Brooke Corio and Boris Portnov a.k.a Brian Portnov, were charged with Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (a class “E” Felony) and Operating an Apartment Information Vendor without a license (an unclassified Misdemeanor). Further, the alleged scam was promoted on the internet site, Craigslist, according to the press release. unwitting tenant rent scam yacht