**Man Charged with Scamming 17 Prospective Tenants in Malden**
A shocking case of deceit has rocked the community of Malden, as Kenneth Riel, a 50-year-old man from Winthrop, faces serious charges of scamming 17 prospective tenants out of thousands of dollars in down payments and security deposits. The Middlesex District Attorney’s office revealed that Riel is accused of committing 11 counts of larceny over $1,200, six counts of larceny, and one count of false entries or omissions in corporate books, totaling a staggering $35,000.
**The Deception Unveiled**
Back in the fall of 2023, Riel began his role as the property manager of a multi-unit apartment complex in Malden. Under the guise of professionalism, he instructed rental applicants to submit money orders for deposits with the payee and payor information left blank. Shockingly, Riel would then manipulate the money orders by filling in his name or the names of his family members as the payee, diverting the funds intended for the management company into his own pockets.
**The Heartbreaking Impact**
The victims, many of whom were non-English speaking immigrants seeking housing, were left in distress as Riel callously swindled them out of their hard-earned money, crushing their hopes of securing a place to live. District Attorney Marian Ryan aptly captured the gravity of the situation by stating, “In this case, the defendant allegedly took advantage of victims…stealing not only their money but their opportunity to rent an apartment they had been led to believe they had secured.”
**Justice Served**
After Riel abruptly departed from his position at the apartment complex, the truth came to light when the deceived applicants arrived, eagerly seeking keys to their supposed new homes. The revelations prompted the victims to seek assistance from local authorities, leading to Riel’s arraignment on Dec. 19 in Malden District Court. With bail set at $10,000, Riel is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 17 to face the consequences of his deceptive actions.
As we reflect on this distressing incident, let us stand in solidarity with those affected by Riel’s fraudulent behavior, reaffirming our commitment to upholding integrity and trust within our communities. Remember, vigilance and diligence are our best defenses against those who seek to exploit our vulnerabilities for personal gain.