Hell’s Kitchen Apartment Scam Left Renters Out Thousands, Manhattan DA Says

HELL’S KITCHEN, NY — A California man has been indicted on accusations of stealing nearly $20,000 from at least five people through a fake Hell’s Kitchen apartment rental, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Thursday.

Nicholas Fuelling, 43, is accused of advertising a Midtown apartment for rent on Facebook Marketplace in August 2025, even though he only rented one of its two bedrooms, Bragg said.

Prosecutors say Fuelling subleased both rooms multiple times without the landlord’s permission, collecting thousands of dollars in deposits from hopeful tenants who never got to move in.

Between Aug. 8 and Aug. 16, five people signed sublease agreements with Fuelling and sent him payments ranging from $3,200 to $6,400, according to the indictment.

When the victims tried to move in at the end of the month, they found the apartment unavailable — and Fuelling allegedly stopped responding to their messages, Bragg said. At least one victim was left effectively homeless, prosecutors said.

"Nicholas Fuelling allegedly stole approximately $20,000 from at least five individuals who thought they would be moving into a Hell’s Kitchen apartment. Instead, we allege, Fuelling’s lies left people scrambling for housing, and even left one victim effectively homeless," Bragg said.

Fuelling was charged in New York Supreme Court with five counts each of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, and one count of scheme to defraud, Bragg said.

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