Queens Man Indicted in Rental Fraud Scheme Targeting 15
Prospective NYC renters should verify ownership as fraud investigations reveal losses totaling $61,625.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Apartments
Live Poll
Do you feel confident that you can safely verify the legitimacy of online apartment listings?
The Queens District Attorney has indicted Rajat Verma for an alleged rental fraud scheme that defrauded 15 tenants of $61,625 between September 2022 and November 2023. Verma reportedly posed as a real estate agent to rent out apartments he did not own, including units in Brooklyn, Maspeth, and College Point.
Why it matters
This case highlights the financial risks renters face from sophisticated scams involving subleased or misappropriated properties. Rental fraud remains a persistent issue in the city, with recent cases involving individuals like Nicholas Fuelling and Juan Valoy resulting in significant losses for dozens of applicants.
Verma allegedly scammed 15 tenants across eight apartments, totaling $61,625 in losses. If convicted of the pending charges including grand larceny and fraud, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
The players
Rajat Verma
The defendant accused of operating a rental fraud scheme across multiple New York City neighborhoods.
Queens District Attorney
The local prosecutor office responsible for investigating and indicting instances of real estate fraud.
Nicholas Fuelling
An individual who previously pleaded guilty to fraud after scamming 17 people of $50,000.
Juan Valoy
A fraudster who pleaded guilty to stealing over $100,000 from nearly two dozen victims.
The details
Verma allegedly obtained keys to various apartments by providing landlords with fraudulent checks, then advertised the units online using aliases such as Bobby Gupta and Dave Mair. Tenants were solicited for deposits before the landlords realized the initial checks were bad. This pattern mirrors recent guilty pleas by Nicholas Fuelling and Juan Valoy, both of whom operated similar schemes to deceive prospective renters.
Timeline
September 2022 to November 2023: Verma allegedly carried out the rental scheme.
October 2026: The case is highlighted in current criminal indictment reports.
The Home Front
This indictment follows a pattern established by the prosecution of Juan Valoy for rental fraud, which highlighted the scale of deceptive property listings in the region. These cases reflect broader challenges in the New York City rental market where unauthorized property access creates significant financial exposure for applicants.
Prospective tenants should always verify a landlord's ownership of a property through public records before signing any lease or providing funds. If you suspect a rental listing is fraudulent, cross-reference the agent's identity and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
The takeaway
Renters should remain cautious of any listing where the agent attempts to finalize a deal rapidly using aliases or non-standard payment methods. Always verify property ownership through official municipal records before submitting any deposits or personal identity documents.
Further reading
For more on navigating local rental markets, visit Apartments.
Live Poll
Do you feel confident that you can safely verify the legitimacy of online apartment listings?
