Housing scam: Cops book two for duping flat buyers of ₹17.5L

Thane: The Naupada police in Thane have booked two persons for allegedly duping a duo of Rs 17.5 lakh by luring them into selling the MMRDA’s Project Affected Persons (PAPs) flats. Police said that the victim, a resident of Kurla, got acquainted with the two accused through a mutual contact.
“The complainant wanted to purchase a flat for his daughter. So when he approached the first accused, he guided him to another person who assured him that he will look for a budget apartment for him,” said a police officer quoting the complaint.
This second person, also an accused, told the complainant that he can arrange to get him apartments meant for PAPs in MMRDA project through their secret channel and influential contacts in Mantralaya.
The complainant was hesitant initially and asked him for more details so the accused told him that he will show him as a slum-dweller and get his documents done along with biometric and get him a flat in around Rs 30-32 lakh. The complainant got convinced and agreed to the plan after which the accused asked him to give more references of people who may be willing to buy flats via him in a similar way.
The complainant then roped in another person and together they paid Rs 17.5 lakh to the accused. However, neither did they get any flat nor did the accused return their money. Realising that they had been cheated, one of the victims registered a case with Naupada police station.
The police said they have launched a probe in the case and further investigation is underway.