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Landlord stole tenant’s identity: DA

By Nathan Duke

A 47-year-old landlord from Astoria was charged last week with stealing the identity of one of his tenants to obtain a car loan and open a credit card account that accrued thousands of dollars in debt, the Queens district attorney said.

Phivos Ioannou, of 79-19 21st Ave. in Astoria, was arraigned Aug. 27 before Queens Criminal Court Judge William Harrington on charges of grand larceny and identity theft, Queens DA Richard Brown said.

The defendant, who was released without bail and scheduled to return to court Sept. 30, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, Brown said.

The DA said the incident was “a disturbing case.”

“It is a reminder that everyone should check their credit accounts each month for accuracy and to check the national credit agencies at least once a year to protect themselves from fraudulent activity as identity theft is a growing area of concern locally and nationally,” the DA said.

The landlord was investigated when police received a complaint from 48-year-old Astoria resident Jorgji Glekas after she received bills in the mail that did not correspond to accounts she had opened, Brown said.

Glekas told police that her landlord had been asking her if she had received any mail that did not belong to her, the DA said.

The defendant allegedly took out a $32,450 loan from Capital One Auto Finance last year and then used the funds to purchase a 2004 BMW X5, Brown said. Glekas' date of birth and Social Security number had been used to obtain the loan, which had been issued in her name, the DA said.

Capital One records show that a payment on the loan was made in July with a check signed by “Ioannou Phivos,” according to the criminal complaint.

The defendant also allegedly opened a Bank of America credit card account in May under Glekas' name, the DA said.

According to the criminal complaint, $20,310 in charges were made on the account, including more than $4,000 at Queenie Boutique, on 31st Avenue in Astoria. Ioannou allegedly admitted to owning the boutique, according to the complaint.

Ioannou is accused of using the credit card to pay for an EZ Pass and Verizon service, the DA said. The defendant also allegedly made payments to Zen Realty Inc., where he said he was employed, according to Brown.

The defendant admitted to using Glekas' name and personal information to open the account, the DA said.

Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.