By Quinn Mercer
Copyright hoodline
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. has revealed the indictment of Juan Valoy, 46, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent rental scheme that swindled around $25,000 from unsuspecting victims. In the indictment issued by the New York State Supreme Court, Valoy faces charges of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, according to the Manhattan DA’s Office.
During the period from March to July 2025, Valoy allegedly masqueraded as a real estate broker, leading prospective renters on tours of New York City apartments he claimed were available to rent. Court documents and statements on the record describe how he lured victims, many of whom were Hispanic New Yorkers speaking primarily Spanish, through platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and referrals. According to the Manhattan DA’s Office, “Juan Valoy allegedly preyed on New Yorkers who were simply looking for a stable place to live at a time when affordable housing is scarce.”
The scam involved Valoy soliciting over $7,000 in payments from victims, often in cashier’s checks to Milian Services Corp., a business he registered. These payments were purportedly for application fees, deposits, and first month’s rents. Additionally, Valoy collected sensitive personal information, including financial records and social security numbers, supposedly for rental applications. Yet, Valoy held no ownership or permission to list the apartments he was offering, as detailed by the indictment.
Victims experienced continued delays for move-in dates with Valoy providing a host of excuses ranging from necessary repairs to pest treatments. In a disheartening turn of events, one victim, upon attempting to move into the apartment with her young child, discovered the Bronx apartment already occupied by other tenants, leaving them without a home. The prosecution of this case is in the hands of Assistant D.A.s Hannah Stambaugh and Luis Morales, with support from a team of coordinators, analysts, and investigators, including the Immigrant Affairs Coordinator Emely Salazar Perez and Housing Coordinator Victoria Grevenberg.
D.A. Bragg’s Office is urging anyone who may have fallen prey to this scheme to reach out to their Immigrant Affairs Unit, echoing that help is available “regardless of immigration status.” The Manhattan DA’s Office expressed gratitude towards D.A. Darcel Clark’s Office for their assistance in the case, highlighting contributions from Senior Investigative Counsel Deborah Seidenberg and Assistant D.A. Diana Mitchell.
