Real Estate Agent Arrested for Defrauding Chartered Accountant of Rs 29.5 Lakh in Mumbai

A real estate agent in Mumbai has been arrested by the Dahisar Police for allegedly defrauding a chartered accountant of Rs 29.5 lakh through a fraudulent flat sale. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local real estate community, highlights the risks associated with property transactions and the importance of due diligence.

While Deepak Kirit Shah was arrested, co-accused Rajesh Jain and Aditya are still at large, according to a police official. The complainant, Hitesh Mansukhbhai Gondvilya, a resident of Dahisar and a chartered accountant, was searching for a residential property as he was living in a rented flat.

During his search, Gondvilya came across an online advertisement for a flat priced at Rs 1.05 crore. After contacting the number mentioned in the ad, a man identifying himself as Aditya invited him to visit the flat in the Rawalpada area. Impressed by the property, Gondvilya and his father decided to proceed with the purchase.

Aditya introduced Gondvilya to Deepak Kirit Shah and Rajesh Jain, claiming that Jain was the owner of the flat while Shah was the broker handling the transaction. Trusting the introductions, Gondvilya paid Rs 29.55 lakh as part consideration. He planned to raise the balance amount through a bank loan after the registration of the sale agreement.

However, the accused began to postpone the registration on various pretexts and started avoiding Gondvilya. Suspicious, Gondvilya checked the flat’s ownership details at the tehsildar’s office. He was shocked to discover that the flat belonged to another person, and the accused had provided him with forged documents by replacing the original owner’s photograph with that of Jain.

Distraught and feeling betrayed, Gondvilya approached the police. Following an investigation, Deepak Kirit Shah was arrested, and a search is underway for the other two men. This case serves as a stark reminder for buyers to verify all property documents and conduct thorough background checks before making any significant financial commitments.

The real estate market in Mumbai, one of India's most populous cities, is highly competitive and often fraught with such fraudulent activities. Buyers and sellers are advised to seek legal counsel and use verified real estate platforms to minimize the risk of falling prey to such scams.