Are the funds taken from me considered unlawful, given that I refrained from paying rent after the landlord (my friend) refused to help me recover a large sum of money I was swindled out of, and he is now demanding my eviction from the premises?

Devouring people's wealth unjustly is a grave sin and a major transgression that leads to bankruptcy in the Hereafter. The bankrupt person is one who comes on the Day of Judgment with good deeds, but also having consumed the wealth of another, so their good deeds are used to repay it. If their good deeds are exhausted, the sins of others are cast upon them, and then they are thrown into the Fire. Therefore, one must repent and return the money to its rightful owners before a day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit. You must pay the rent for the shop to its owner, and you have the right to sue the one who defrauded you to recover your money.