HYDRAA Cracks Down on Fraudulent Liaison Agents: Rs 50 Lakh Scam Unveiled
HYDRAA, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, has exposed a gang that defrauded a man of Rs 50 lakh by promising to settle his dispute with the agency. The Commissioner urges citizens to avoid self-styled liaison agents and report issues directly to HYDRAA.
HydraaFraudLiaison AgentsVertex Real EstateMankhal VillageReal Estate NewsSep 05, 2025
“HYDRAA staff work with integrity. Do not pay anyone claiming connections to our officers,” the Commissioner stressed. This warning comes in the wake of a significant fraud that was uncovered, involving an organized network of individuals who posed as intermediaries to exploit unsuspecting complainants.
Fake Liaison Network Unmasked
The fraudulent scheme came to light when a complainant revealed that three individuals had extracted Rs 50 lakh by promising to “settle” his dispute through HYDRAA. The trio consisted of a lawyer who had been struck off the High Court Bar Council for presenting forged certificates, and two individuals who posed as “digital media reporters.” They claimed to have close ties to HYDRAA officials and projected that one would “air the news,” another would “speak to HYDRAA,” while the lawyer would “handle the money.”
Vertex Real Estate Row Sparks Probe
The scam was uncovered during an ongoing investigation into complaints against Vertex Real Estate in Mankhal village, Tukkuguda Municipality. Residents had alleged encroachment of Suram Cheruvu, dumping of soil in Kothakunta, and construction of a box drain through disputed land. HYDRAA had already registered two cases against the developer. Additionally, complainant Chaitanya Reddy alleged that Vertex had laid a road across his land.
During the hearings, Chaitanya Reddy disclosed that he had paid Rs 50 lakh to an “intermediary” who assured favorable action. Cross-verification revealed the involvement of the dismissed lawyer and the two self-styled reporters. HYDRAA subsequently booked a formal cheating case at Pahadishareef Police Station.
Evidence of Manipulation
The investigation uncovered video clips and testimonies that showed one reporter airing allegations that HYDRAA was shielding Vertex, another pretending to have “direct access” to senior officers, and the lawyer orchestrating the entire money-collection exercise. The investigation concluded that HYDRAA’s impartial proceedings were deliberately misrepresented to pressure Vertex and mislead the complainant.
Zero Tolerance for Name Misuse
Reaffirming HYDRAA’s zero tolerance for the misuse of its name, Commissioner Ranganath stated, “Anyone collecting money in HYDRAA’s name will face strict legal action. Citizens should bring issues straight to us. We guarantee transparent hearings in front of all parties.” HYDRAA remains committed to maintaining integrity and transparency in its operations, ensuring that citizens can trust the agency to handle their grievances fairly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HYDRAA?
HYDRAA stands for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. It is a government agency responsible for the planning and development of the Hyderabad metropolitan region.
How much money was the complainant defrauded of?
The complainant was defrauded of Rs 50 lakh by a gang posing as liaison agents and promising to settle his dispute with HYDRAA.
What should citizens do if they have a complaint with HYDRAA?
Citizens should place their complaints directly with HYDRAA officers, preferably at the weekly Prajavani grievance program held at the Commissioner's office every Monday.
Who were the individuals involved in the fraud?
The individuals involved in the fraud included a lawyer who had been struck off the High Court Bar Council, and two self-styled digital media reporters claiming close ties to HYDRAA officials.
What actions has HYDRAA taken against the fraudulent individuals?
HYDRAA has booked a formal cheating case against the individuals at Pahadishareef Police Station and has reaffirmed its zero tolerance policy for name misuse.
Related News Articles
Boosting India's Housing Market: Developers Seek Tax Incentives and Industry Status in Budget 2024
The Indian housing sector is looking forward to the Union Budget 2024, expecting tax reliefs and other sentiment boosters to stimulate growth in the market.
Kalpataru Ltd Set to Enter Nagpur Real Estate Market with Plotted Development Project
Mumbai-based Kalpataru Ltd plans to launch a plotted development project in Nagpur, marking its entry into the city's real estate market. The project will be spread across 37 acres and will have 400 plots of sizes 1,200 to 4,000 sq ft range.
Hong Kong Halts Commercial Land Sales for Seventh Consecutive Quarter
Hong Kong's government has announced that it will not sell any commercial land in the quarter from October to December, citing low demand and high office vacancy rates.
Homebuyers Forum Claims RERA Act Falls Short of Objectives, Urges Consumer Affairs Ministry for Action
A forum representing homebuyers in Maharashtra claims that the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, has failed to meet its objectives. The forum is now urging the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry to issue specific guidelines to protect consu
Ahmedabad Shines with Top Rental Yields in India
Ahmedabad leads the pack with the highest rental yields in India, clocking in at 3.9%, according to a recent report by Magicbricks. Other cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune are also seeing significant increases in rental returns.
Incuspaze Expands with Major Leasing Deal in Gurugram's Thriving Real Estate Market
Incuspaze, a prominent player in the commercial real estate sector, has announced a significant leasing deal in Gurugram, marking a major expansion in one of India’s most booming real estate markets. This move underscores the growing demand for quality of