Antonio Silva Indicted for Rental Scam

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Antonio Silva, 60, of Merrimack, has been indicted by the Hillsborough County-Southern District grand jury with one class A felony count of Theft by Deception.

The indictment alleges that between November 9, 2024 and March 7, 2025, Silva obtained or exercised control over more than $1,500 from a victim, with a purpose to deprive the victim of his money, by creating or reinforcing the false impression that he was the lawful owner of a residential property in Merrimack, creating or reinforcing the false impression that he was authorized by the property's lawful owner to lease it to others, and/or by failing to correct these false impressions.

Silva is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment in Hillsborough County - Southern District Superior Court on March 12, 2026 at 1 p.m.

If convicted, Silva faces a potential sentence of up to 7 ½ to 15 years in state prison and a $4,000 fine. The charge is merely an allegation, and Silva is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Merrimack Police Department, with assistance from Investigator Tom Rees of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Zach Frish and Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod, also of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau.

The Attorney General urges the public to remain alert to scams. If you or someone you know is a victim of a scam, please contact your local police department or the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau by calling 1-888-468-4454 or filing a complaint online at https://www.doj.nh.gov/citizens/consumer-protection-antitrust-bureau/consumer-complaints.