NYC’s self proclaimed “Wolf of AirBNB” hit with multiple fraud charges and failed tax filings!

Since February 2019, Konrad Bicher rented apartment units in Manhattan on various platforms to include "AirBNB". Bicher obtained 18 luxury rental properties all around Manhattan and advertised and leased them as "Mini Hotels". In NYC leases less than 30 days are illegal.

From July 2019 to April 2022 Bicher grossed over $1.1M abs stopped making rental payments and racking up over $1M in failed rent owed. Bicher refused to move from the apartments taking advantage of the NYC rent moratorium  and threatening landlords to drag out the eviction process for years without paying. During this time of failed rent payments Bicher applied and received about $565k in Government loans using 4 different applications.

Bicher 31, of Hialeah, Florida, is charged with two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  The two counts of wire fraud each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The charge for aggravated identity theft carries an additional mandatory consecutive two-year sentence. 

Bicher has also failed to file tax returns and claim his income from the rental properties as well as the illegal funds obtained from PPP. Additional charges for these failures will apply.

Bicher's not for profit website states that he is expected to reach $75 billion by 2025 and he is currently working on his hotel chain and building his second resort in Indonesia.

#airbnb #ppp #nyc #wolf