Staten Island Man Indicted for Million-Dollar Real Estate Investment Scam Targeting Elderly Victims

BROOKLYN, N.Y., July 20 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bridget M. Rohde, issued the following news release:

A nine-count indictment was unsealed this morning in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging the defendant Yevgeniy Braziler with securities fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud for orchestrating a scheme to target elderly investors by selling them partnerships in three fraudulent real estate companies. Braziler was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione.

The indictment was announced by Bridget M. Rohde, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Philip R. Bartlett, the Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service.

"As alleged, the defendant targeted the elderly with lies and deceit. We will bring the full force of the law to bear on those, such as the defendant, who take advantage of our vulnerable neighbors," stated Acting United States Attorney Rohde.

"Mr. Braziler allegedly fleeced elderly investors when he devised a scheme to separate them from their hard earned money and secure retirements. Postal Inspectors will never tolerate the financial abuse of anyone regardless of their age," stated Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett.

According to the indictment, Braziler and his associates promised potential investors, many of whom were elderly, that the companies would purchase, renovate, rent and re-sell residential real estate in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York areas. In response to Braziler's solicitations, investors sent over $1.8 million to Braziler. Instead of using the money for the purposes he promised, however, Braziler stole the great majority of the funds. For example, investors sent one of Braziler's investment vehicles at least $978,000, but Braziler purchased only one property for at most $12,000, and took most of the remaining funds for himself and his associates. The investors lost nearly all of their money.

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew S. Amatruda is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

YEVGENIY BRAZILER

Age: 40

Residence: Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-385 (AMD)