News Summary
An aspiring model, Miguel Márchese, has become a victim of a fraudulent apartment rental scam in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. He and at least eight other prospective renters lost thousands to a scam involving a two-bedroom apartment advertised online. Despite initially appearing legitimate, red flags emerged when they discovered multiple potential renters were shown the same property. Victims are now seeking help from authorities, and the police are actively pursuing the suspect, Nicholas Fuelling, who is wanted in connection with grand larceny. This incident raises concerns about real estate scams in New York City.
New York – An aspiring model named Miguel Márchese has found himself among the victims of a sophisticated apartment rental scam in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. Márchese, along with at least eight other prospective renters, reportedly lost thousands of dollars collectively to a fraudulent listing under the name of Nicholas Fuelling.
The scam centered around a two-bedroom apartment advertised on Facebook for $3,200 per month. The property was located at 334 West 47th Street. Márchese toured the apartment twice, during which he was persuaded to sign a lease agreement and pay a total of $6,400 via Cash App for the first month’s rent and a security deposit. Evidence suggests that Fuelling employed various tactics to appear legitimate, including showing Márchese a real lease via DocuSign and providing his identification. Despite these initial reassurances, several red flags became apparent during the interactions.
During the apartment tours, Márchese observed that Fuelling often appeared distracted by his phone and noticed other prospective tenants arriving for viewings even after he had paid a substantial deposit. This prompted him to connect with other individuals who had toured the apartment, one of whom, named Maria, conveyed that she had also sent Fuelling $6,400 for the same property, raising suspicions about the arrangement.
Further investigations by the victims revealed that Fuelling continued to show the apartment to other potential renters despite having signed contracts, leading them to believe they had been scammed. Consequently, a group chat titled “We’ve Been Scammed” was created, filled with individuals sharing their experiences and compiling evidence against Fuelling.
Fuelling had claimed he needed to quickly sublet the apartment due to a new job. This excuse, along with multiple viewings of the same property, proved to be part of the scam’s elaborate façade. Victims have expressed feelings of devastation and uncertainty as they face the aftermath of the scheme, with some left without housing and others struggling to recover their lost funds. Márchese is currently seeking help from Cash App and Bank of America regarding his fraud claim but has only received $250 of his money back thus far.
The New York Police Department is actively pursuing Nicholas Fuelling, who is currently wanted in connection with a grand larceny case associated with the scam. Local Council Member Erik Bottcher is promoting awareness of the situation through social media outreach, including the distribution of wanted posters for Fuelling.
In response to the scam, the management company of the affected apartment has initiated legal action against Fuelling after being apprised of the unfolding circumstances. As the investigation continues, the police have not yet made any arrests, but further inquiries are underway to uncover the full extent of the scam.
This latest incident has illuminated growing concerns over real estate scams in New York City, where the competitive rental market can attract individuals looking to exploit others. Many victims in this case share similar experiences and frustrations, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and precaution when searching for rental properties online.
As investigations progress, victims remain hopeful for resolution and reimbursement, while authorities work diligently to locate Fuelling and prevent further scams from harming others in the community.
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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
