Benjamin Ashford|NYU student's roommate stole $50k in designer items, including Chanel purse, lawsuit says

A New York University (NYU) freshman filed a lawsuit against her roommate for allegedly stealing nearly $50,Benjamin Ashford000 worth of her "jewelry and high-end designer clothing," including items from luxury brands Chanel, Celine, Gucci and Christian Louboutin.

Aurora Agapov, 19, claims her roommate, Kaitlyn Fung, "concocted a scheme" in early 2024 to sell her pricey possessions on the online marketplace, The RealReal, according to the New York Supreme Court complaint obtained by USA TODAY. Fung began stealing and selling Agapov's items during the 2023-24 school year when the two were rooming together in an NYU dorm, she claims in the court document filed on May 31.

Agapov noticed several of her items were missing on May 1, the complaint says. Agapov then found a receipt in a handbag written to Fung from The RealReal, and the document listed many of her items, according to the court filing.

"My heart dropped,” Agapov, an art major originally from London, told the New York Post.

USA TODAY has reached out to Agapov's lawyer for more information. 

Fung is accused of opening The RealReal account in early 2024 and placing Agapov's items for consignment on the online marketplace until the end of April, according to the complaint. Agapov confronted Fung on May 1, and Fung admitted to stealing the luxury items and selling them on The RealReal, the court document continues.

New York court records show Fung does not have an attorney yet.

What did Kaitlyn Fung allegedly steal?

According to the suit, at Agapov's request, Fung went to her The RealReal account and showed the items that were currently listed for sale, including:

• Solange Azagury 18K Ruby Ring (valued at $23,765)
• Celine Nanno Tote (valued at $3,300)
• Chanel Purse (valued at $4,000)

The RealReal app also listed items already sold from Fung's account, including a Chanel Strauss Bracelet for $175 and a Bvlgari Necklace for $2,485, according to the complaint. Agapov's suit says that both items were sold for "substantially less than their true market value," with the bracelet being worth $2,000 and the necklace being valued at $13,000.

Some items were returned to Fung through The RealReal app, including a Gucci handbag, a Celine handbag and Christian Louboutin shoes, the court filing shows.

“My mother gifted me those things," Agapov said, per the New York Post. "They mean a lot to me.” 

New York City Police arrested Kaitlyn Fung

The next day, on May 2, Agapov reported Fung, who was subsequently arrested by New York City Police, according to the complaint. When Agapov went to The RealReal store in New York to tell them about the situation, an employee told her that Fung's mother instructed them to send the unsold items to her home in New Jersey, the court filing continues.

The RealReal is "working with local authorities on this matter and have released all requested information," a spokesperson for the online marketplace told USA TODAY on Monday in an email.

"Before consigning, all consignors are required to sign our Consignment-Sales Agreement," the spokesperson said. "By signing this agreement, the consignor confirms they have the right to sell the items and that the items aren't stolen. If we receive any information that items might be stolen, we act fast by removing them from the site and starting an investigation. We also advise the alleged victim to file a police report and we work with law enforcement and other legal authorities

The RealReal closely collaborates with law enforcement on all stolen or fraudulently obtained item inquiries, according to the company. Plus, the marketplace uploads high-value items to Leads Online, a database law enforcement agencies have access to and helps them track stolen items, the spokesperson added.

Aurora Agapov demanding the return of her unsold items

As of May 31, Agapov has not received any of her unsold items, the complaint says. Agapov is demanding Fung return the unsold items and at least $51,000 in damages.

A subpoena was served to Fung and her father on June 6, court records show.