Thane Woman Duped of Rs 32 Lakh in Real Estate Scam: Case Filed Against Agent and Wife
A Thane-based woman has been cheated of Rs 32.83 lakh by a real estate agent and his wife, who promised her a flat under the MHADA scheme in Mumbai. The police have registered an FIR against the couple.
Real Estate ScamMhadaThaneMumbaiProperty FraudReal Estate MumbaiSep 30, 2025
The victim's husband works abroad, and she was in desperate need of a secure place to live. The real estate agent and his wife, both from Jogeshwari in neighboring Mumbai, promised her a flat under the MHADA scheme. They took Rs 32.83 lakh from her in installments from October 2023 but failed to provide the promised house.
When the woman tried to contact them for an explanation, there was no response. Frustrated and concerned, she approached the police. Based on her complaint, an FIR was registered on Monday against the couple under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
In a related incident, the police have also registered an FIR against two individuals for allegedly misusing a woman's property documents to execute a fraudulent purchase and sale agreement. The 35-year-old complainant, Sabina Sharif Shiekh, owns an ancestral property in Wanjewadi, Mahim.
One day, Sarfaraz Peerzade approached her, claiming that the room registered in her father's name was slated for redevelopment. He introduced Viraj Churi as someone who could assist her in securing the room under the scheme. On this pretext, the accused collected all her property documents. Two days later, they returned the documents, stating that her room was no longer eligible for redevelopment as the government had discontinued the scheme.
A few days later, they approached her again and took her to the Worli Registrar's office, claiming she would receive Rs 5 lakh under a government initiative. However, they took her documents once more and asked her to sign papers without disclosing their contents. Upon reading them, Sabina discovered that a room had been purchased in her name from Kamru Bahuda Jabbar Khan and subsequently sold to Sooraj Estate Developers Limited.
After returning home, she narrated the incident to her family, who advised her to approach the local police. She lodged a written complaint, and based on the evidence, Mahim police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita for cheating and breach of trust. No arrests have been made so far, and further investigation is underway.
These cases highlight the growing trend of real estate scams in the region, where unsuspecting individuals are often taken advantage of by unscrupulous agents. Authorities are urging residents to be cautious and verify all documents and claims before making any financial transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Thane woman?
A Thane-based woman was cheated of Rs 32.83 lakh by a real estate agent and his wife, who promised her a flat under the MHADA scheme in Mumbai.
How did the real estate agents trick the woman?
The real estate agent and his wife assured the woman of a house under the MHADA scheme and took Rs 32.83 lakh from her in installments but failed to provide the promised house.
What action did the police take?
The police registered an FIR against the real estate agent and his wife under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
What is the MHADA scheme?
The MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) scheme is a government initiative that aims to provide affordable housing to eligible individuals in Maharashtra.
What should residents do to avoid such scams?
Residents should be cautious and verify all documents and claims before making any financial transactions. It is advisable to seek legal advice and conduct thorough background checks on real estate agents.
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