Konrad Bicher, the "Wolf of Airbnb" Pleads Guilty to Fraud


Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud After Defrauding Landlords and Abusing Pandemic Programs to Make Over $2 Million

Florida man, Konrad Bicher, who called himself the "Wolf of Airbnb", has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding landlords and cheating the government pandemic program. Bicher entered lease agreements based on false pretenses and made false statements to obtain U.S.-guaranteed loans. He "lined his own pockets by abusing government programs and tenant protections intended to benefit those in crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. When indicted, Williams disclosed that Bicher operated at least 18 apartments in Manhattan "as mini-hotels" while using the pandemic as an excuse to not pay landlords. Bicher began his fraud by February 2019, renting Manhattan apartments before subletting the units to third parties on a short-term basis, even though clauses in his lease agreements said he could not. According to prosecutors, he earned at least $1.17 million in rental income through his own short-term rentals, failed to make rent payments required by the lease agreements, and refused to leave the apartments after the leases expired. He was finally caught in April 2021 after using fraudulent information to obtain over $500,000 government-guaranteed loans through a program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The "Wolf of Airbnb": How Konrad Bicher Defrauded Landlords and Abused Pandemic Programs to Make Over $2 Million


The story of Konrad Bicher, also known as the "Wolf of Airbnb", is a cautionary tale of greed and deception. Bicher abused government programs and tenant protection laws to accumulate over $2 million illegally. He used fraudulent information to obtain loans from a program designed to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, lining his own pockets instead of providing relief to those in need.

According to prosecutors, Bicher began his fraud scheme in February 2019, renting apartments in Manhattan before subletting them on a short-term basis. He repeatedly failed to make rent payments required by the lease agreements and refused to leave the apartments even after the leases had expired. He also lied to obtain U.S. guaranteed loans and entered lease agreements based on false pretenses.

Prosecutors revealed that Bicher and his associates failed to make lease payments, resulting in over $1 million in lost rent for landlords and earned over $1.17 million in rental income through his own short-term rentals. When the pandemic hit, Bicher used it as an excuse to evade paying landlords while renting apartments he didn't own to third parties.

Bicher proudly referred to himself as the "Wolf of Airbnb" and boasted of being hungry and ruthless enough to get to the top of the financial ladder. However, his fraudulent schemes caused irreversible harm to those who trusted him and should serve as a reminder of the consequences of such actions. While it remains to be seen what punishment Bicher ultimately receives,

Bicher's case highlights the importance of ethical business practices and the serious consequences of defrauding landlords and taking advantage of government programs. He deceived landlords and tenants alike while amassing a fortune, turning a blind eye to the potential harm his actions could cause. Bicher's scheme proves that the ends do not always justify the means; acting unethically can result in significant personal and professional repercussions.

Hopefully, Bicher's case will serve as a reminder to future business owners that there are no shortcuts to success. Honest and ethical business practices are crucial to success. Although Bicher has pleaded guilty to his crimes, the damage he caused can never be fully undone. His victims will have to endure financial hardships due to his fraudulent actions, and Bicher's reputation is irrevocably tarnished.

The "Wolf of Airbnb" will be a footnote in business history, a reminder that no amount of wealth is worth compromising one's integrity or reputation. Hopefully, individuals and businesses alike will learn from Bicher's mistakes, and this type of fraudulent behavior will become a thing of the past. In the end, it is always better to pursue success by honest means, and not at the expense of others.
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