Crime & Safety

Police: Man Charged in Phony House Flipping Scam

Man posted on Craigslist looking for investors in fake house flipping project, cops said.

A Pennsylvania man faces charges after he lured a victim into a phony house flipping investment and took money from him, according to Nassau County Police.

Cops said Ketan Patel, 38, of State College, posted an announcement on Craigslist aboutt an investment opportunity. Patel met with a 41-year-old man in North Long Beach and claimed he was looking for investors for house flipping in Florida, police said.

After sending Patel a cashier’s check worth $45,000, the victim tried to followup on the investment for four months without any response, cops said.

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The victim notified police and Patel was located at NYC Probation in New York City where he was taken into custody without incident, police said.

Patel was charged with third-degree grand larceny and was arraigned Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.