In a sweeping fraud case targeting immigrant families, a New York City man has been ordered to pay more than $4.2 million in restitution for defrauding at least 20 families who believed they were purchasing homes.
Xi Hui “Steven” Wu illegally “sold” units at 345 Ovington Ave. in Brooklyn to tenants by presenting them as condominiums, according to the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James. He collected down payments, along with monthly mortgage payments and condo fees from unsuspecting Chinese immigrant families who believed they were paying for legitimate homes.
In reality, Wu never completed the legal steps required to classify the building as a condominium. Despite having no authority to do so, he sold units, and many victims moved into the building…