RICHMOND HILL — Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced Tuesday that a Richmond Hill man has been charged with taking approximately $53,300 in security deposits from prospective tenants for the same apartment in his residence although, in fact, it was never available for rent.
Brown said Shahab Khan, 32, of 86-46 127th St. in Richmond Hill, was arraigned on two counts of third-degree larceny, six counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to fraud.
He faces up to 34 years in prison if convicted on each of the larceny charges.
Brown said that, according to the criminal complaint, between May 31 and Aug. 10 Khan allegedly advertised the first-floor apartment located at his residence on Craigslist and showed it to 20 prospective tenants on various occasions and accepted security deposits and first month’s rent ranging from $2,000 to $4,350 from the complainants.
When the complainants tried to arrange move-in dates, Khan stalled by giving various excuses, the DA’s office said.
Brown asked that anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim of the defendant’s alleged scheme to contact his Economic Crimes Bureau at 718-286-6673.
