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Craigslist Scammer Steals $4,400 From Man Trying to Rent an Apartment: NYPD

By Lisha Arino | September 15, 2014 11:06am
Lower East Side Craigslist Apartment Scam
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NYPD

LOWER EAST SIDE — A Craigslist scammer made off with $4,400 after duping a man into a renting an apartment that already had people living in it, police said.

The suspect, who claimed on Craigslist that he had an available apartment to rent, met the 36-year-old victim and walked him through the site last month, the NYPD said.

The two met in person on Aug. 17, and the suspect showed the victim an apartment at 178 Ludlow St., police said.

The victim decided to rent the apartment and gave the suspect $4,400 in cash, but when the victim tried to move in, he discovered that the space was already occupied, police said.

The victim later realized that the suspect did not represent the apartment's owner.

Police released video of the suspect and are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.