What I Saw as a Fake Billionaire | Fakes, Frauds and Scammers

VICE10 minutes read

A real estate agent named Andi Schmied poses as a billionaire to explore exclusive apartments in high-end New York buildings, showcasing the city's best views. She collaborates with agent Daniel Rosenstein to navigate the world of ultra-luxury real estate, where properties remain vacant investments with extravagant amenities, reflecting societal disparities in the city.

Insights

  • Andi Schmied, posing as a billionaire named Gabriella, infiltrates luxury buildings in New York to capture the exclusive views they offer, shedding light on the opulent yet often vacant nature of these properties.
  • Through her collaboration with real estate agent Daniel Rosenstein, Andi's project not only reveals the extravagant amenities and investment-driven nature of ultra-luxury buildings but also underscores the stark societal contrasts and implications of such real estate practices in New York City.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How does Andi Schmied gain access to exclusive apartments?

    By pretending to be a billionaire named Gabriella.

  • What is the price range of the properties Andi targets?

    $10 million to $85 million.

  • What assistance does Andi receive in her project?

    From a real estate agent named Daniel Rosenstein.

  • What amenities do ultra-luxury buildings offer?

    Golf simulators, Michelin-starred restaurants, and yachts.

  • Why do ultra-luxury properties often remain empty?

    They serve as investments rather than homes.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Agent poses as billionaire to access luxury apartments"

  • Andi Schmied, a real estate agent, pretends to be a billionaire to access exclusive apartments in New York.
  • She targets luxury towers, with properties ranging from $10 million to $85 million.
  • Andi's project aims to showcase the best views in New York from these high-end buildings.
  • To gain access, she adopts the persona of Gabriella, a billionaire looking for an apartment.
  • Andi navigates the real estate world with the help of Daniel Rosenstein, a real estate agent.
  • Ultra-luxury buildings offer extravagant amenities like golf simulators, Michelin-starred restaurants, and even yachts.
  • These properties often remain empty, serving as investments rather than homes.
  • Andi's project highlights the stark societal disparities and impacts of ultra-luxury real estate on New York City.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.