Housing Scam Victims Urged To Come Forward
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City officials are trying to determine if there are more victims of a housing scam they say has already cost nearly two dozen people tens of thousands of dollars.
During a press conference Tuesday, borough presidents Scott Stringer and Ruben Diaz Junior urged others who may have been scammed to come forward.
Prosecutors say the victims each paid thousands of dollars to a woman named Josie Almonte. They say she promised to help them use Section 8 housing vouchers to rent apartments that were actually unavailable.
"Nine thousand dollars for this apartment. A dream come true for me and my son and it became a nightmare," said housing scam victim Hilma Amarante.
"The message is if you think you can prey on the most vulnerable of our city. If you think you're going to make a penny on 'em, watch out cause we're gonna come after you and put you in jail," Diaz Junior said.
Stringer says the scam takes many different forms and that if a deal sounds too good to be true, residents should contact government agencies so they can look into it.
Almonte is charged with grand larceny and fraud.
Prosecutors say they expect more charges as more victims come forward.