Man From Merrimack Indicted On Theft Charge Connected To Apartment Rental Scam

CONCORD, NH — A man accused of accepting money on the lease of rental property in Merrimack, which he had no control over, was indicted this month on a theft charge, according to the attorney general’s office.

Antonio Silva, 60, of Merrimack, was indicted on a single count of theft by deception, a felony. He faces up to 7.5 to 15 years in prison and a $4,000 fine.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

“The indictment alleges that between Nov. 9, 2024, and March 7, 2025,” a report stated, “Silva obtained or exercised control over more than $1,500 from a victim, with a purpose to deprive the victim of his money, by creating or reinforcing the false impression that he was the lawful owner of a residential property in Merrimack, creating or reinforcing the false impression that he was authorized by the property’s lawful owner to lease it to others, and/or by failing to correct these false impressions.”

Silva will be arraigned in Hills South on March 12.

The attorney general’s office said the case was investigated by the Merrimack Police Department, with assistance from Investigator Tom Rees of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Zach Frish and Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod, also of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau.

If you or someone you know is a victim of a scam, contact local police or the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau by calling 1-888-468-4454 or filing a complaint online athttps://www.doj.nh.gov/citizens/consumer-protection-antitrust-bureau/consumer-complaints.

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