German Apartment Fraudster Arrested in Italy After Scamming EUR150,000

München - A 34-year-old German man, Fabrizio S., has been apprehended in Italy following allegations of defrauding numerous individuals out of significant sums in connection with apartment rentals in Munich. The suspect is accused of exploiting the housing crisis faced by many young people in the city, accumulating a total of approximately EUR150,000 from his victims before disappearing.

The arrest took place on May 21 in the coastal town of Riposto, Sicily, where the Italian police captured Fabrizio S. based on an international arrest warrant issued by the Munich District Court at the request of the public prosecutor's office.

According to a statement from the Munich police, the suspect has been charged with commercial fraud. Fabrizio S. allegedly posted rental advertisements on a well-known online platform, luring potential tenants by offering in-person viewings in Munich, often arriving in a white Porsche Cayenne to project an image of credibility.

The case came to light in early March when two university students, aged 19 and 23, filed a complaint after engaging with the supposed landlord in February. They had transferred substantial amounts for deposits and the first month's rent, but after several delays in the key handover, they grew suspicious and alerted the authorities.

Further investigations by the Munich police's specialized fraud unit uncovered a broader scheme, identifying an additional 15 victims who were reportedly scammed using a similar modus operandi. The total financial damage caused by Fabrizio S. is estimated to be around EUR150,000.

Following his arrest, the alleged fraudster is currently held in extradition custody at a prison in Catania, Italy. Munich investigators are diligently working to identify any additional victims and to clarify the methods employed by Fabrizio S., including how he obtained the keys to the advertised apartments. The decision on whether he will be extradited to Germany rests with the Italian judicial authorities. If extradited, he will face multiple counts of commercial fraud in Munich. The investigation is ongoing.