Fake real estate agents are scamming New Yorkers

Police are hunting two scammers in unrelated cases, which duped over a dozen renters

An unidentified scammer (left) and Mahabbat Albualieva (right) (Credit: DCPI)
An unidentified scammer (left) and Mahabbat Albualieva (right) (Credit: DCPI)

Over a dozen would-be renters were duped into handing over thousands of dollars in security payments for apartments that did not exist.

New York City Police Department detectives are seeking an unidentified man and a 24-year-old woman for two separate scams, in which they allegedly conned people looking to rent in Brooklyn and Queens, according to the New York Daily News.

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The unidentified man ran a scam from July to December, reportedly taking $23,000 in security deposits from 11 unwitting renters. He purported to rent out five apartments in Corona and North Corona in Queens.

The second alleged scammer, Mahabbat Albualieva, posted foreign language Facebook ads for multiple apartments in Brooklyn and then met with three prospective renters in April and July. After taking the three security deposits following the meetings, valued at $500, $200 and $700, Albualieva was never heard from again. [NYDN] — David Jeans