Fitness Trainer’s Double Life: How Jerry Genesis Scammed New Yorkers Out of More Than $100,000

In the bustling streets of New York City, where finding an apartment can feel like winning the lottery and personal fitness is a priority for many, one man exploited both markets through elaborate cons that left dozens of victims financially and emotionally devastated. Jerry Genesis, a 35-year-old Bronx resident who presented himself as a fitness professional, has been indicted for orchestrating not one, but two separate scams that targeted vulnerable New Yorkers seeking homes and health improvements. His schemes, which unfolded over several months, showcase the dangers that can lurk behind seemingly legitimate services in a city where trust is already a precious commodity.

The most recent allegations against Genesis involve an elaborate real estate con that preyed on the notoriously difficult New York City housing market. According to Manhattan prosecutors, Genesis advertised sublets in some of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods—including the East Village, Chinatown, Nolita, Chelsea, and Downtown Brooklyn—claiming he was the original leaseholder looking for subletters. He went to extraordinary lengths to maintain the facade, arranging viewings of properties, signing official-looking paperwork, and collecting substantial move-in fees ranging from $8,000 to $17,200 from at least eight victims. The total haul from this scheme alone reached an astonishing $101,692. The reality, however, was that Genesis had never paid rent on these apartments, having secured them by falsifying employment and income information on lease applications. One particularly heartbreaking case involved a victim who arrived at what he believed was his new home, bags in hand, only to find an eviction notice taped to the door—a crushing moment that left him homeless and financially drained.

But Genesis’s alleged predatory behavior didn’t begin with real estate. Earlier in 2023, he had already been indicted for a separate scam involving his personal training business. At least ten clients who had trusted Genesis with their fitness journeys became victims when he promised refunds for unused gym credits but instead allegedly used their payment information to charge thousands of dollars to their accounts without authorization. One victim reported unauthorized charges totaling more than $22,300, while another claimed nearly $10,000 was stolen after years as a loyal fitness client. “I feel ashamed that I fell for a scam, but he was someone I trusted,” wrote one victim on Genesis’s Yelp page, which contains three separate reviews all describing similar patterns of fraud. The emotional impact of these betrayals extends beyond the financial loss—clients who had established what they believed were professional relationships based on improving their health instead found themselves victims of exploitation.

When Genesis’s training scam was uncovered and he was indicted in February, he was initially granted supervised release—a freedom he allegedly abused by fleeing New York entirely. His attempt to evade justice led him to Stamford, Connecticut, where authorities finally caught up with him in August after a tense three-hour standoff with police. Following his extradition back to New York City, Genesis was hit with additional charges related to the apartment sublease scheme, as well as a bail jumping charge for his flight from the state and failure to appear in court. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg addressed the severity of the situation, stating, “Jerry Genesis took advantage of New York’s extremely competitive housing market to steal hard-earned money from eight individuals who trusted him to find them apartments.” The statement underscores how Genesis allegedly exploited a system already fraught with challenges for average New Yorkers.

The dual scams perpetrated by Genesis reveal a calculated approach to fraud that targeted different vulnerabilities in New York City life. The housing market in the city is notoriously competitive and expensive, with potential renters often desperate to secure housing and willing to move quickly—sometimes too quickly—when an opportunity presents itself. Similarly, personal fitness represents a significant investment for many city dwellers who entrust trainers not only with their physical well-being but also with sensitive financial information. In both scenarios, Genesis allegedly exploited the fundamental trust that underpins these relationships, creating elaborate facades that appeared legitimate enough to deceive multiple victims across different contexts. The sophistication of these schemes suggests a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents—a concerning reality for those who may have interacted with him in other capacities.

The aftermath of Genesis’s alleged crimes extends beyond the immediate victims to the broader community of New Yorkers who may now approach both housing and fitness services with heightened skepticism. Following his capture and the additional charges, Genesis was ordered held without bail—a decisive measure that reflects the severity of his alleged actions and the risk he poses to the public. As the legal process unfolds, the stories of those affected serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of due diligence even in transactions that seem straightforward. For the dozens of victims left to rebuild their finances and their trust in others, the indictments represent a first step toward justice in a situation where full recovery—both financial and emotional—may prove elusive. Their collective experience highlights how even in a city known for its caution, sophisticated scammers can still find ways to exploit the basic human needs for shelter and health when desperation and trust intersect.