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At least 61 individuals in Mumbai have been defrauded of a total of INR 2.41 crore by persons posing as officials capable of securing Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) flats at subsidised rates, a complaint registered with Rabale police has alleged. The case was lodged by a property consultant who said he, a colleague and 61 clients were misled by the accused into making advance payments for purportedly low-cost MHADA housing in areas including Powai, Wadala and Worli. Payments were collected on promises of flats at below-market prices with potential resale gains, but when the complainants sought to complete the transactions they discovered the listings and accompanying documentation were fake. One key intermediary has already been arrested in a related matter, while another suspect remains at large as investigations proceed.
Rabale police have registered a criminal case against three individuals for allegedly defrauding at least 61 prospective homebuyers of INR 2.41 crore under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) flats at concessional rates in Mumbai. The complaint was filed by a property consultant, who said he, his colleague and their clients were misled by the accused into paying substantial advance sums for promised housing that was never delivered. Advertisement
According to the complaint, the fraud emerged when the consultant and his colleague were approached in early 2022 by an acquaintance who introduced them to one of the key intermediaries, claiming the individual could assist in acquiring MHADA flats at below-market prices. The intermediary then introduced them to two others who purported to be senior MHADA officials. They assured the complainants that they could secure one-bedroom flats for around INR 15 lakh and two-bedroom flats for about INR 40 lakh, with the suggestion that these homes could later be sold at market rates of up to INR 50 lakh.
On the basis of these claims, the consultant and his colleague collected advance payments from their clients and remitted a total of INR 2.41 crore to the accused. An additional INR 1.25 crore was reportedly paid subsequently but was returned when it became clear that no legitimate flats were forthcoming. When the complainants followed up on the transactions, they were unable to secure any property and repeatedly sought refunds, but the remaining funds were not returned.
The fraud was uncovered when the complainant visited the official MHADA office in Mumbai to verify the documentation provided by the accused. Officials confirmed that the offer letters and flat lists supplied to the victims were fraudulent, and that no individual by one of the accused's names held a senior position at MHADA.
Rabale police have identified the three accused in the case. One of them has already been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing in a related matter, while another is currently absconding. The investigation continues under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as authorities seek further evidence and potential accomplices.
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