Manhattan DA indicts Brandon Kiehm for allegedly stealing $272K in a Bumble romance scam tied to a fake Brooklyn real estate purchase.
According to the indictment, Kiehm is charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, after allegedly convincing a 44-year-old woman that her money was being used to buy a home they planned to share together.
“A woman thought she was buying a home with her boyfriend, when, allegedly, he stole approximately $272,000 of her hard-earned money,” District Attorney Bragg said. “We allege that Brandon Kiehm crafted a relationship on a web of lies, preying on his girlfriend’s trust again and again.”
How the alleged Bumble romance scam unfolded
Prosecutors say the alleged fraud began in 2019, when Kiehm met the victim on Bumble, a popular online dating app. He introduced himself using the name “Dae Up Lee Kim”, claiming to be a Stanford-educated finance professional. What began as an online connection soon turned into what the woman believed was a serious romantic relationship.
The couple eventually lived together in the woman’s Manhattan apartment until 2021, according to court documents.
In early 2020, Kiehm allegedly suggested that they purchase a home together in Brooklyn. The property, located on Decatur Street, was supposedly being sold at auction. Because the woman was traveling for work, she relied on Kiehm to handle the process on her behalf.
The fake Brooklyn auction and money transfers
As alleged, Kiehm told the woman he had attended the auction and that they were the second-highest bidders. To keep their position, he instructed her to send a cashier’s check for $78,250 to what she believed was the property’s broker. He allegedly provided her with official-looking terms and conditions of sale to make the transaction seem legitimate.
Two weeks later, Kiehm allegedly told her that the highest bidder had fallen through. He then instructed her to send additional funds by wire transfer, providing specific bank and account details.
The woman complied, sending:
- $86,750 via wire transfer
- $107,000 via wire transfer
In total, prosecutors say she transferred approximately $272,000, believing the money was securing their future home. Kiehm also provided her with a contract of sale, which she signed.
Prosecutors say no bid was ever placed
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Kiehm never attended the auction and no bid was ever made on the property. The person who received the victim’s money was allegedly an associate of Kiehm, not a legitimate broker.
Court records state that the funds were quickly withdrawn as cash or transferred into a joint account held by Kiehm and his associate, before also being withdrawn.
The alleged scheme began to unravel when the woman discovered an identification card in the name “Brandon Kiehm”, a name she did not recognize. She later found additional IDs and mail addressed to that same name. When confronted, Kiehm allegedly admitted that his real name was Brandon Dae Up Kiehm.
The woman then contacted the actual broker for the Decatur Street property, who told her that Kiehm had never placed a bid.
A warning about online dating and romance scams
District Attorney Bragg emphasized that romance scams involving online dating platforms like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge are increasingly common, particularly when they involve fake investments or real estate deals.
“This is an ongoing investigation,” Bragg said, urging anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact the DA’s Office at 212-335-8900.
Charges and defendant information
Kiehm, who also allegedly used variations of the name Dae Up Lee Kim, is charged with:
- Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (one count)
Aliases listed in court documents include:
- Brandon Dae Up Kiehm
- Dae Up Lee Kim
- Daeup Lee Kim
He is listed as residing in New York, NY.
The case is being handled by the Financial Frauds Bureau of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, with Assistant District Attorneys Nina Vershuta and Dennis Dillon leading the prosecution. The investigation includes support from forensic accounting, investigative analysts, and senior investigators across multiple DA divisions.
This indictment highlights how online dating scams can escalate into large-scale financial fraud, especially when trust is built over time and paired with convincing documentation and personal relationships. Prosecutors say the alleged conduct shows how easily victims can be manipulated when romance and money intersect.
As the case moves forward in New York State Supreme Court, authorities continue to investigate whether there may be additional victims connected to the alleged romance scam.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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