With fraud as a continuing concern for the multifamily industry, Esusu has acquired Celeri, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered fraud prevention provider. This acquisition will help the fintech credit building platform continue to deliver cutting-edge solutions that protect property owners, reduce risks, and ensure a more equitable housing process.
According to Celeri data, 1 in 10 rental applicants submitted false documents, while 93% of property managers reported fraud incidents in the last year.
“Today, we’re making a bold leap toward a housing market that is more secure, efficient, and fair,” said Wemino Abbey and Samir Goel, co-founders and co-CEOs of Esusi. “By welcoming Celeri to the Esusu platform, we’re equipping our customers with sophisticated fraud prevention tools that save thousands in lost rent and eviction costs while breaking down barriers for hardworking families seeking a place to call home.”
Celeri’s AI system aims to identify discrepancies invisible to the human eye, which allows property managers to instantly verify documents and identities, spot fraudulent applications, operate within their existing workflows, mitigate bad debt, and enhance leasing efficiency.
“Joining forces with a market leader like Esusu allows us to expand the reach of our technology and continue delivering top-tier fraud prevention solutions at scale,” said Jun Seo, co-founder and CEO of Celeri. “Together, we’re paving the way for smarter, faster, and more effective screening processes while empowering property owners and renters alike.”
The acquisition was finalized in January with approval from both companies’ shareholders. Celeri will continue to operate independently under its current brand, and Esusu clients can contact their account managers to discuss the integration of these services.
At the end of 2024, Esusu highlighted its accomplishments in advancing financial inclusion and reducing housing barriers for the year.
According to its latest data, over 12% of renters on the platform moved from subprime to prime credit scores. In addition, renters reporting with Esusu throughout the length of enrollment saw an average credit score increase of 45 points.
As of September, Esusu renters exerpienced several positive outcomes related to access to lines of credit with more favorable terms: 257,438 auto loans, totaling over $8.6 billion, were accessed; 84,827 student loans, totaling over $2 billion, were accessed; and 63,232 mortgages were accessed, totaling more than $29.1 billion.
“In a year marked by increased economic uncertainty, Esusu remains committed to empowering renters nationwide with access to quality financial resources,” noted Abbey and Goel. “Through on-time rent reporting, families have unlocked critical pathways to economic mobility—gaining access to cars, education, homeownership, and other essential resources that drive wealth creation and resilience in today’s evolving landscape.”
Esusu also recently launched myEsusu, a credit-building membership designed to empower renters by removing financial barriers and providing access to wealth-building opportunities. Available on the Esusu app, this opens up the platform to missions of renters not living in the network of Esusu-participating properties across the nation.
