A person who referred to as himself the “Wolf of Airbnb” was nabbed by federal prosecutors after illegally subletting greater than a dozen Manhattan residences – incomes over $1 million in proceeds, all whereas refusing to pay hire.
On Thursday, authorities stated Florida resident Konrad Bicher, 31, couldn’t pay landlords due to the pandemic regardless of fraudulently obtained over $565,000 in COVID-19 aid funds, the New York Post studies.
Bicher Raked In Over $565K In PPP Funds, $1.1 Million From Units Despite Not Paying Landlords Upwards Of $1 Million In Rent
Bicher listed the models on web sites like Airbnb and promoted them as “mini hotels,” in line with U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.
“Bicher abused Government programs and tenant protections intended to benefit New Yorkers in crisis, and he will have to answer for his conduct,” Williams stated in an announcement.
Pro Tip: If you might be doing enterprise with a man who calls himself “Wolf of Airbnb,” it isn’t going to finish effectively.
We’ve all seen the film. https://t.co/UxjG3G0fnK pic.twitter.com/OvD3ENXE65
— Diligentia Group (@DiligentiaGroup) October 28, 2022
Bicher and several other unnamed associates reportedly leased a minimal of 18 properties in Manhattan in February 2019 – itemizing them a short-term leases – in direct violation of the contracts and New York City legislation, prosecutors allege.
Bicher even illegally rented out models to movie crews for $97-an-hour, all whereas blaming the pandemic for not having the ability to meet the phrases of his lease.
When the leases did expire, he would additionally refuse to go away and even continued subletting the models – all of which was explicitly not allowed per the leases.
“Wolf Of Airbnb” Even Illegally Sublet Units, Even To Film Crews For $97-An-Hour, Prosecutors Claim
Between 2019 and April 2022, he didn’t pay upwards of $1 million-worth of hire for the properties, regardless of incomes over $1.1 million in revenue from subletting the models, in line with prosecutors.
City legislation prohibits providing comparable models for hire for fewer than 30 days – principally the definition of subletting.
“Wolf of Airbnb” charged over short-term rental scheme https://t.co/oLfXuXE4wv pic.twitter.com/FZ2iiioLGs
— LUIS SUÁREZ | NYC Real Estate (@LuisSuarezNY) October 28, 2022
Prosecutors say by spring 2021, Bicher had utilized 4 instances for the federal Payment Protection Program (PPP) and fraudulently obtained $565,00 in aid funds.
“Wolf” Led Luxurious Lifestyle, Snapping Pictures Of Him On Private Jets On Social Media
Bicher led an expensive way of life as effectively, taking non-public jets and snapping photos to his social media accounts. He advised the Real Deal in February that he got here up with the “Wolf of Airbnb” nickname as a result of it means “someone who is hungry and ruthless enough to get on top of the financial ladder.”
“They compare the ferocity to that of a wolf, because wolves are territorial, vicious and show no mercy when provoked,” he advised he outlet in a textual content.
A landlord who filed a lawsuit earlier this yr towards Bicher claimed he illegally sublet an upmarket unit and 450 W. forty second Street, a ritzy constructing with a doorman on the entrance entrance.
“Wolf of Airbnb” indicted in reference to scheme to defraud New York City landlords and PPP fraudhttps://t.co/5YWwO7DZg9
— US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) October 27, 2022
It was the doorman who reportedly seen random folks coming and going with suitcases and digital camera tools from the unit.
Authorities stated Bicher provided the property for $97-per-hour on Peerspace, the Post studies.
“Wolf” Even Asked Landlords To Pay HIM To Leave, “Otherwise (He’d) Litigate And Keep The Unit For Years”
Bicher allegedly even replied to a cease-and-desist discover with “Can we work out a settlement agreement to pay me to leave?” Otherwise, I’ll preserve the unit for years and litigate.”
He was charged with two counts of federal wire fraud and aggravated id theft, and faces as much as 42 years in jail if convicted, in line with the Post.
One Facebook account showing to be Bicher’s says his occupation is in actual property, whereas a second Facebook account says he’s a journey agent, each of which listed New York as places.