In a shocking case of high-stakes real estate fraud, a criminal syndicate allegedly sold a luxury apartment that did not exist at Gurgaon's upscale DLF Camellias for a staggering Rs 12 crore. The scam was executed using meticulously forged bank auction documents, with police now suspecting the wider racket may have duped multiple victims of over Rs 200 crore across several states.
The Unraveling of a Multi-Crore Con
The crime came to light on June 13 when Delhi Police received a formal complaint alleging cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. According to investigators, the complainant was presented with convincing forged auction papers for a premium apartment in DLF Camellias. The fraudsters claimed their firm had already purchased the property at a bank auction and could transfer it immediately.
Lured by the promise of a luxury asset at a below-market price, the victim transferred Rs 12 crore through RTGS and demand drafts between August and October of last year. The elaborate scheme collapsed when the victim's subsequent verification with the bank revealed the truth: all documents, including sale certificates, covering letters, and auction receipts, were fabricated. No such auction had ever taken place.
Money Trail Leads to Arrests and Shell Firms
Following the money, police traced the Rs 12 crore to accounts linked to a finance and licensing company operated by the prime accused, Mohit Gogia (38). A detailed bank analysis showed the stolen funds were rapidly routed through a complex web of multiple accounts to hide their origin.
"Several beneficiaries and shell firms have since been identified, and liens have been placed on suspected bank accounts. Two cars bought using the cheated amount were also seized," said DCP (Crime) Aditya Gautam.
Police revealed the racket followed a consistent modus operandi. They targeted individuals with offers of luxury properties in prime locations at prices significantly lower than market rates. The offers were backed by forged mortgage and auction documents that promised immediate possession. Once the money was received, it was layered through a network of accounts and rotated for profit, often via an entity called Babaji Finance, operated by an absconding accused known as Ram Singh alias Babaji.
Arrests and a Long Criminal History
The key accused, Mohit Gogia, a Delhi resident, was arrested on November 22 while allegedly attempting to flee from Mumbai towards Uttarakhand. He was apprehended near Doiwala on the Rishikesh-Dehradun road. Gogia's interrogation led police to several associates.
Subsequently, four more individuals were taken into custody:
- Vishal Malhotra and Sachin Gulati: Allegedly allowed their bank accounts to be used for laundering the cheated money.
- Abhinav Pathak: Allegedly introduced the complainant to Gogia and facilitated the fraudulent deal.
- Bharat Chhabra: Allegedly assisted in preparing the forged documents.
Investigators discovered that Gogia has an extensive criminal record, with at least 16 cases registered against him across Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chandigarh. These cases largely involve charges of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
Wider Fraud Network Under Scanner
The police now believe this syndicate carried out similar sophisticated frauds involving luxury properties at other premium locations, including Ambience Mall and other prime areas in Delhi-NCR. The Crime Branch is actively working to arrest the remaining accused, including the absconding Babaji, recover the cheated funds, and identify more victims linked to this sprawling multi-state fraud network.
This case serves as a stark warning for high-net-worth individuals investing in the premium real estate market, highlighting the critical need for thorough due diligence and direct verification with banks and authorities before transferring large sums for property deals.
