Police are searching for Nicholas Fuelling, 43, who is accused of defrauding renters in Hell’s Kitchen by posing as a landlord and offering fake apartment listings. According to PIX11, authorities have not made any arrests but are asking the public for information. A “WANTED” poster states there is probable cause for arrest on charges of grand larceny.
One incident involved Fuelling allegedly collecting a $6,400 security deposit from a 25-year-old man after showing him an apartment at 334 West 47th Street on August 8. Another victim, age 24, signed what appeared to be a legitimate lease through DocuSign but discovered the agreement was fraudulent when he tried to find a roommate and met someone else who claimed to have leased the same unit, according to ABC7 New York.
Council member Erik Bottcher has used social media to warn residents about the scam. He said that more than one renter had been deceived and that several victims began communicating with each other after the first complaint surfaced. At least nine alleged victims are now in contact via group chat.
“He was a master of deception,” Bottcher told PIX11. He added that Fuelling supported his false identity with an Instagram account to appear credible. Residents reported that Fuelling may live nearby.
Big Apple Management, identified as the management company for the building involved, released a statement saying it had taken legal action against Fuelling: “We were surprised and horrified to hear about the alleged scams being conducted by one of our tenants Nicholas Fuelling and upon hearing of the same, we have taken swift legal action against him to help ensure the same doesn’t continue,” according to ABC7.
The case highlights risks in New York City’s rental market where limited supply and high prices can lead renters into questionable deals. Many victims reportedly found these listings on Facebook Marketplace—a platform frequently criticized by consumer advocates due to insufficient vetting of posts.
The situation serves as another warning for those seeking apartments in competitive markets: if an offer seems unusually favorable, caution is advised.
