Queens Man Indicted for Rental Fraud Scheme

Rajat Verma allegedly posed as a real estate agent to steal $61,625 from 15 tenants.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Apartments

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a large brass key against a door frame, evoking the nature of housing fraud. — Queens resident Rajat Verma has been indicted on fraud and larceny charges for allegedly running a rental scheme that cost 15 victims over $61,000. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Queens District Attorney officials have indicted Rajat Verma, a resident of Franklin Square, on charges of fraud, identity theft, and grand larceny. Between September 2022 and November 2023, Verma allegedly defrauded 15 victims out of $61,625 by advertising properties he did not own.

Why it matters

The indictment highlights the vulnerabilities of New York City renters who interact with purported real estate agents online. Cases like this illustrate the persistence of rental scams that capitalize on the city's highly competitive housing market.

Verma allegedly utilized at least a dozen aliases to list eight different apartments in areas including Brooklyn, Maspeth, College Point, and Bay Ridge. He faces a maximum of seven years in prison if convicted of the charges.

The players

Rajat Verma

He is a Franklin Square resident indicted on charges of fraud and grand larceny for an alleged apartment rental scheme.

Queens District Attorney

This is the local law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the rental fraud and bringing the criminal indictment.

Nicholas Fuelling

He is an individual who previously pleaded guilty to grand larceny and fraud after scamming 17 people of $50,000.

Juan Valoy

He is an individual who pleaded guilty to a fraud scheme involving the theft of over $100,000 from nearly two dozen people.

The details

Verma allegedly secured access to apartment keys by providing landlords with fraudulent checks. He then marketed these units online before the deception was discovered, leaving prospective tenants without the housing they had paid to secure.

The rental fraud scheme allegedly occurred from September 2022 to November 2023.
The article detailing the criminal indictment was published in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This case follows a pattern set by the prosecution of Juan Valoy for rental fraud, reflecting a broader rise in digital-first real estate scams. These indictments highlight the growing tension between the convenience of online property searching and the persistence of legacy-style housing theft.

Prospective renters should verify the identity of any agent and confirm ownership of properties before transferring funds to avoid becoming a victim of similar schemes. These incidents demonstrate the need for caution when dealing with online apartment listings that appear to offer high value.

The takeaway

Always conduct thorough due diligence when securing a rental, such as requesting proof of ownership or visiting the property in person before paying. Utilizing verified agencies or major platforms with secure payment protocols can significantly lower the risk of falling for fraudulent listings.