Thane Woman Duped of Rs 32.83 Lakh by Real Estate Agent and Wife

Thane, Sep 30 (PTI) Police have registered a case against a real estate agent and his wife for allegedly cheating a Thane-based woman of Rs 32.83 lakh on the pretext of getting her a flat under a government scheme in Mumbai, officials said on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old victim, a resident of Mira Road, has a husband who works abroad. She claimed that the real estate agent and his wife, both from Jogeshwari in neighboring Mumbai, assured her of a house at Kandivali under the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) scheme, as stated by an official from the Kashigaon police station.

The duo allegedly took Rs 32.83 lakh from her in installments from October 2023 but failed to provide the promised house. When she tried to contact them and sought an explanation, there was no response from their end, which led her to approach the police.

Based on her complaint, an FIR was registered on Monday against the couple under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and criminal conspiracy, the police added.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is a government body responsible for the development and allocation of housing projects in Maharashtra. The authority aims to provide affordable housing to the economically weaker sections and lower-income groups of society. This case highlights the importance of due diligence and verifying the credentials of real estate agents and the legitimacy of housing schemes before making any financial commitments.

If you are considering purchasing a property through a real estate agent, it is crucial to conduct thorough background checks and seek legal advice to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes. Always ensure that the agent is registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and that the property and scheme are genuine and legally compliant.

The police are currently investigating the case and are working to locate the accused. They have also urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist in the investigation. The victim is cooperating with the police and is hopeful that justice will be served.

For more information on how to protect yourself from real estate fraud, it is advisable to consult legal experts and stay updated on the latest regulations and guidelines provided by authorities such as RERA and MHADA. Awareness and vigilance are key to preventing such fraudulent activities in the real estate sector.