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Man Duped Out of $2,100 in Public Housing Rental Scam, NYPD Says

By Dartunorro Clark | December 7, 2016 4:15pm
 An apartment hunter was tricked into handing over cash for a NYCHA apartment at the Wagner Houses, police said.
An apartment hunter was tricked into handing over cash for a NYCHA apartment at the Wagner Houses, police said.
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DNAinfo/Gustavo Solis

EAST HARLEM — An apartment hunter was duped out of $2,100 in a scam at a New York City Housing Authority property, the NYPD said.

The 35-year-old victim was looking for a home in the neighborhood when he came across a flyer advertising a one-bedroom apartment, police said.

The location of the apartment was at 60 Paladino Ave., in NYCHA’s Wagner Houses, according to police.

The victim called the number on the flyer and set up an appointment with the poster.

Once he was shown the apartment, he paid the scammer the $2,100 and was given a key.

Police said the victim was given a sublease agreement and a receipt.

However, when the victim tried to move in he realized the key didn't fit the door.

The victim tried calling the scammer multiple times but his calls went unanswered, police said.

The suspect is described as standing 4-foot-4 male and weighing 140 pounds.