‘Wolf of Airbnb’ Allegedly Made Over $1 Million Renting Out Apartments. Now the FBI is Accusing Him of Fraud.
The FBI alleges that Bicher and his associates made at least $1.17 million from renting out apartments he owed $1 million in rent for.

Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty
He may have branded himself “The Wolf of Airbnb,” but Konrad Bicher isn’t getting the Leonardo DiCaprio biopic treatment anytime soon. His next stop could be prison.
The FBI has indicted Bicher, 30, for wire fraud, according to a federal complaint unsealed Thursday. He allegedly devised a scheme where he garnered at least $1.17 million for renting out at least 18 Manhattan apartments. He would allegedly list the luxury units for rent so visitors could host photoshoots, film music videos, or stay for small amounts of time.
All the while, the FBI alleges, he owed over $1 million in rent to several different landlords. He’s faced civil suits in the past, but the FBI hasn’t been involved. Until now.
There were at least 18 apartments that were rented by Bicher, a friend, or a company that was he was affiliated with. Investigators said that building managers and owners made numerous attempts to remove Bicher as a tenant or get what he owed them, including legal action.
ADVERTISEMENT
All of the lease agreements prohibited units to be rented out on a short-term basis or included a line requiring lessees to contact unit owners before subletting their apartments.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The complaint also says Bircher invented a fake spouse, who he put as a lessee on four of the apartments. When a front desk clerk noticed a discrepancy in contact phone number, the alleged spouse hit back.
“Konrad is my husband and we have access to [the] same number,” they said, according to investigators.
Bicher’s ‘Wolf of Airbnb’ nickname, The Real Deal once reported, is self-proclaimed.
“It means someone who is hungry and ruthless enough to get on top of the financial ladder,” he texted the outlet, ignoring all other questions. “They compare the ferocity to that of a wolf, because wolves are territorial, vicious and show no mercy when provoked.”
Bicher was released from custody on $200,000 bail, according to court records. It was also under the condition that he surrender travel documents, not open any new bank accounts or credit cards, and not discuss the case with witnesses the FBI has identified.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.