September 8, 2025 A New Yorker’s dream of a fresh start turned into a nightmare after he became the victim of a sophisticated rental scam, part of a larger scheme that has allegedly swindled at least 11 people out of over $50,000.
A Newcomer's Desperate Plea
Just a few months ago, 24-year-old Miguel Marchese arrived in Manhattan with nothing but two suitcases and big dreams. He was ready to hustle, to build a life in the city that never sleeps. The first step was finding a home, which led him to what he thought was a promising sublet on Facebook Marketplace.
The apartment, located on West 47th St. in Hell's Kitchen, seemed perfect. Marchese met with the man posing as the landlord, signed a lease, and handed over a $6,400 deposit. The key was supposed to follow, but it never did. Instead of a new home, Marchese was left with an empty bank account and a harsh dose of reality.
"I came here to build my life... But instead of opportunity, I was met with a nightmare," he shared in a heart-wrenching GoFundMe post. With his savings gone, he's been forced to sleep on a friend's living room floor, a stark reminder of his precarious situation.
The Con Man and His Calculated Scheme
According to the NYPD and Councilman Erik Bottcher, the man wanted in connection with this string of scams is 43-year-old Nicholas Fuelling. Police reports indicate that Fuelling allegedly posed as a landlord, showing the same fake apartment to multiple victims before disappearing with their cash.
Marchese's police report wasn't an isolated incident. After his story came to light, several other victims stepped forward, revealing a pattern of deception that has drained their finances. A wanted poster for Fuelling, described as 6'2", 195 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes, has since been plastered around the neighborhood, with some residents reporting that he lives on the same street where the scams occurred.
While no arrests have been made, the community is rallying to help. A GoFundMe campaign started for Marchese has already raised nearly $2,000, offering a small glimmer of hope as he tries to rebuild his life.
