In a distressing case of property fraud, a visually impaired woman in Delhi was deceived out of Rs 14.5 lakh in a fake lease agreement. This incident has led to the arrest of a 51-year-old man and the exposure of a broader fraudulent scheme totaling nearly Rs 2 crore, as confirmed by police on Thursday.
Details of the Fraudulent Deal
The accused, identified as Ravindra Garg, a resident of Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended by a police team last week. The case was officially registered on December 29 of the previous year after the complainant, an employee of Indian Railways, reported being swindled in what appeared to be a legitimate property transaction.
How the Scam Unfolded
Garg had offered a property situated on Joshi Road in Karol Bagh and executed a notarised lease deed after finalising the deal for Rs 14.5 lakh. However, when the woman attempted to take possession of the property, she discovered it had already been seized by a finance company due to a loan default.
An investigation revealed that Garg had taken out a home loan of Rs 98 lakh in 2017, and the property had been repossessed as a result. These critical facts were deliberately concealed by the accused during the negotiation and agreement process, according to police officers.
Police Investigation and Arrest
A dedicated police team meticulously analyzed call detail records from multiple mobile numbers used by Garg, who had been frequently changing SIM cards and locations to evade capture. His whereabouts were eventually traced to Nangal Devat village in Delhi, where he was found working as a taxi driver and subsequently arrested.
Broader Fraud Scheme Uncovered
During interrogation, Garg confessed to cheating several other individuals using a similar method. He repeatedly offered the same property for lease or sale, collected substantial sums of money, and then absconded, leaving victims in financial ruin.
It was also disclosed that Garg had previously been declared a proclaimed offender in another property fraud case by a Delhi court, highlighting a pattern of criminal behavior. Police are now intensifying efforts to trace and recover the cheated money, which amounts to nearly Rs 2 crore across all related cases.
Implications and Ongoing Efforts
This case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by individuals, especially those with disabilities, in property transactions. Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and verify all details thoroughly before engaging in such deals.
Police continue to investigate the full extent of Garg's fraudulent activities, aiming to bring justice to all affected parties and prevent similar scams in the future.
