Lucknow Police Seizes INR 5.78 Crore in Real Estate Fraud Under Gangsters Act
Lucknow Police has attached movable and immovable assets worth more than INR 5.78 crore in connection with an organized real estate fraud syndicate, invoking provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act to curb alleged illegal activities linked to fraudulent land transactions.
The enforcement action, carried out in the past week in the Mohanlalganj area of Lucknow, was undertaken under the direction of the Police Commissioner as part of an ongoing drive against organized crime in the real estate sector. The attached assets are linked to alleged syndicate operators, identified by police as key individuals accused of orchestrating the fraud network.
According to officials, the accused operated a structured network that lured buyers with offers of residential plots, presenting themselves as representatives of established real estate firms. Investigations revealed that the land parcels sold were either non-existent or not owned by the accused, resulting in financial losses for multiple victims.
Police stated that the syndicate specifically targeted personnel from the armed forces and paramilitary units, leveraging their limited availability for site verification due to service commitments. This approach enabled the accused to execute fraudulent transactions with reduced scrutiny.
The attached assets include a plot and a semi-constructed house located in Omaxe City, Lucknow, valued at over INR 5.3 crore, along with three vehicles—a Toyota Innova, a Maruti Swift, and a Mahindra Bolero—collectively valued at approximately INR 45 lakh. The properties have been marked with official notices, placing them under court control.
Authorities indicated that a total of 66 cases have been registered against the accused across multiple police stations since 2020. The charges include fraud, criminal conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and attempt to murder, reflecting the scale and severity of the alleged operations.
The attachment was executed following orders issued by a competent court earlier this month, under Section 14(1) of the Gangsters Act, enabling authorities to seize assets believed to have been acquired through criminal activity.
Police officials stated that further attachment proceedings are underway and reiterated that enforcement action against organized real estate fraud will continue as part of efforts to protect buyers and maintain regulatory compliance in property transactions.
The case highlights ongoing risks in informal land dealings and underscores the need for due diligence in property transactions, particularly in markets where unauthorised developments and title disputes remain prevalent.
