A contractor hired to remodel a home in Uniondale bilked a woman out of $60,000 for work he didn’t perform, prosecutors say.
Zohaib Farrukh was arrested Saturday and charged with grand larceny. He declined to speak with News 12 at his arraignment on Sunday.
The alleged victim who attended Farrukh’s court appearance says she wanted to expand her home so her mother could come live with her.
“I wanted my mom to come live with me because she’s a senior – and he stole my money,” said Terenna Williams, of Uniondale.
According to Nassau police, the victim issued a check for nearly $60,000 “made payable to a man who claimed his name was Mohammed Ali. This name turned out to be a false name.”
This is latest in a list of stories News 12 has covered this year where a contractor is accused of taking money and not doing the work that was promised.
Williams says she researched Farrukh's business called "North Falcon Construction Company" and says she found no problems online before paying him.
In court, Farrukh, 37, of New Jersey, denied the grand larceny charge and told the judge he is bankrupt. The judge released him. He's due back in court next month.
Detectives ask anyone else who may be a victim to call police.