Police: Second person arrested in connection to fraudulent rental scams in Nassau
Authorities announced on Sunday the arrest of second person, 71-year-old William Fickbohm, of Lakeview, in connection with the investigation.
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A second person has been arrested in connection with fraudulent rental scams across several Nassau County communities.
According to Nassau County police, investigators initially arrested Aurelia Soogea, 39, of West Hempstead, after a woman was allegedly defrauded while attempting to rent a home in Hempstead.
Police said the 49-year-old victim coordinated a rental agreement for a house on Meadowbrook Road with a man and woman. The woman allegedly handed over $7,000 in first month's rent and a security deposit to the pair.
Police say when the victim went to the home the following day to collect paperwork, she was met by the actual homeowner. He told he had never rented the house to anyone but explained that a lockbox outside the house was damaged and the key to the home was missing.
Following an investigation, detectives arrested Soogea on Aug. 19. Police said she also allegedly provided investigators with a fraudulent New York State driver's license during the investigation.
Authorities announced on Sunday the arrest of second person, 71-year-old William Fickbohm, of Lakeview, in connection with the investigation. Police said investigators determined that Fickbohm and Soogea were responsible for multiple fraudulent residential rental scams in West Hempstead, East Meadow and Hicksville.
Detectives also allege Soogea carried out an additional rental scam in Hicksville.
Both defendants face multiple charges, including second-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud. Fickbohm is also charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument.
