DA: landlord admits to using tenant’s personal info for car loan

An Astoria landlord has been charged with stealing the identity of one of his tenants in order to obtain a $32,000 car loan and to open a credit card account that incurred more than $20,000 in debts, including bills for his telephone and EZ Pass.
“This is a disturbing case in that the defendant is alleged to have invaded his victim’s privacy in the place she should feel safest — her home,” said District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “It is also a reminder that everyone should check their credit accounts each month for accuracy and to check the national credit agencies at least once a year to protect themselves from fraudulent activity as identity theft is a growing area of concern locally and nationally.”
Phivos C. Ioannou, 47, of 79-19 21st Avenue, was arraigned Wednesday night, August 27, before Queens Criminal Court Judge William M. Harrington on a complaint charging him with one count of second-degree grand larceny and three counts of first-degree identity theft. Ioannou, who faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, was released without bail and ordered to return to court on September 30.
An investigation was commenced by detectives from the New York City Police Department’s 114th Precinct Detective Squad following a complaint from the victim, Jorgji Glekas, 48, after she received bills in the mail that did not correspond to any accounts that she was aware of having opened. Glekas also told police that Ioannou, her landlord, subsequently began asking her if she had received any mail that did not belong to her.
According to the complaint, Ioannou is accused of taking a $32,450 loan from Capitol One Auto Finance last year. He allegedly used the funds to purchase a 2004 BMW X5. The loan was issued in the name of Jorgji Glekas, using the victim’s Social Security number and date of birth. Capitol One records show that a payment on the loan was made last July with a check signed by “Ioannou Phivos.”
Furthermore, according to the complaint, a Bank of America Visa credit card account was opened last May in the name of Jorgji Glekas. Records indicate that $20,310 in charges were made on the account, including more than $4,000 at Queenie Boutique, located at 37-18 31st Avenue, in Astoria. Ioannou, according to the complaint, admitted he is the owner of the boutique. Other charges were allegedly made to pay for Ioannou’s EZ Pass and Verizon service. It is also alleged that payments were made to Zen Realty, Inc., where Ioannou admitted he is employed. Ioannou, according to the complaint, admitted that he used Jorgji Glekas’ name and personal information to open the various accounts.