Story by Ethan
On October 21st, 2025, the arrest of Adam Chatwin, age 36, was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr.. Adam Chatwin was charged with first-degree Scheme to Defraud and third-degree Grand Larceny. The arrest and charges against Adam Chatwin were a result of an investigation handled by NYPD Detective John Lamneck of the Midtown South Detective Squad.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, court documentation and statements allege that Adam Chatwin had advertised an apartment on 350 West 42nd Street through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor.com. The defendant had offered the unit with the reasoning of him and his fiance needing to relocate for work. However it was revealed that Adam Chatwin only had access to the apartment for a period of 4 weeks in the spring of 2025. When contacted by various victims looking to lease the apartment, the defendant allegedly posed himself at the building’s landlord and had victims sign fraudulent lease agreements while also taking upfront payments for the first month of rent in addition to a one-time security deposit payment. With one victim Adam Chatwin allegedly struck a deal where he gave a largely discounted price for the whole lease term if all money was paid upfront in cash. The defendant also allegedly required additional payments for fraudulent reasons such as urgent repair needs, more security deposit funds, pet fees, gratuity fees for building staff and amenities, etc. After payment was given to Adam Chatwin victims attempting to move into the apartment were unsuccessful as long-term tenants had already been living there. When they would attempt to contact Adam Chatwin for their money back, the defendant would not respond back to any communication such as texts and calls.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the charges against Adam Chatwin are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
