In a significant crackdown on property-related fraud, the Dahisar Police in Mumbai have apprehended one member of a four-person gang accused of orchestrating a sophisticated real estate scam. The accused posed as brokers and a property seller to dupe a potential homebuyer of a staggering Rs 29.5 lakh. Investigations have revealed the gang's involvement in a similar cheating case in the Malad area as well.
The Elaborate Scam: How the CA Was Duped
The victim, a chartered accountant residing in Mumbai's western suburbs, was actively searching for a home to purchase for his family. In August 2025, while browsing a popular real estate portal, he came across a listing for an apartment in Dahisar priced at Rs 1.05 crore. The listing featured the contact number of a broker named Aditya.
After initiating contact via WhatsApp, the complainant was introduced to another individual named Deepak, who showed him the vacant flat on August 23. Satisfied after visiting the property with his father and father-in-law, the CA proceeded to a meeting at a restaurant on August 26. There, he met a man posing as the flat's owner.
Despite attempts to negotiate, the fake owner stood firm on the price, demanding Rs 85 lakh via cheque for the sale agreement and Rs 20 lakh in cash. Trusting the process, the victim first paid a token amount of Rs 5.01 lakh by cheque and received copies of the property's chain of agreements for legal verification. He later paid the cash component of Rs 20 lakh and an additional Rs 4.14 lakh to the imposter.
The Unraveling of the Fraud
The fraudsters further extracted Rs 21,000 as commission from the hopeful buyer. A registration date was set for September 9, but the "owner" began making excuses and failed to appear. Even after the complainant paid another Rs 20,000 demanded by Aditya, the registration did not materialize.
The scheme finally collapsed when the victim, to his shock, spotted the same Dahisar flat listed for sale again on the real estate portal. Sensing foul play, he immediately approached the police, setting the investigation in motion.
Police Investigation Reveals Modus Operandi
A dedicated police team, including investigating officer Yogesh Patil and supervised by DCP Mahesh Chimte, ACP Maloji Shinde, and senior inspector Sarjerao Patil, uncovered the gang's elaborate modus operandi.
"The gang of accused would approach genuine property sellers pretending to be brokers, offering to find buyers," explained a police officer. "They would obtain crucial documents like the chain of agreements. Subsequently, they would forge these documents by replacing the original owner's photo and contact details with those of a gang member. These forged papers were then used to deceive earnest buyers."
So far, the police have arrested the accused Deepak, and efforts are ongoing to nab his accomplices, Aditya, the fake owner, and another gang member.
This case serves as a stark warning for individuals navigating the real estate market. Potential buyers are advised to conduct thorough due diligence, independently verify property documents with the relevant government authorities, and be extremely cautious of deals demanding large cash payments or exhibiting undue pressure.
