A Mumbai flat scam has come to light, after a resident filed an FIR alleging that he was cheated out of ₹15.25 lakh and later threatened with violence in connection with a long-running housing scam. The FIR was registered at Bhandup Police Station late on June 6, bringing fresh focus to property fraud in the city. The case, now under active investigation, involves charges under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 1860.
How the Mumbai Flat Scam Happened
According to the FIR, the complainant and his late father entered into a housing deal in 2009, agreeing to purchase a flat in Mumbai’s Anand Nagar area for ₹15 lakh. The funds were raised by selling another property in Kalwa for ₹15.25 lakh and were handed over to the seller’s family.
However, after taking payment, the seller and her son allegedly persuaded the buyer’s family to allow them to stay temporarily, citing personal issues. Trusting them, since the son was a known acquaintance, the family allowed this arrangement.
Soon, they discovered that the flat was part of an SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) project and that its legal title had not been properly transferred. This key information had been withheld. In 2014, after legal intervention, the seller’s family agreed in writing to transfer ownership, with the son confirming no further objections. Despite this, possession of the flat was never given, nor was any refund offered.
Following the father’s death in 2017, the complainant continued pursuing the matter. In 2021, a community mediation session resulted in a fresh promise: the accused would repay ₹23 lakh to settle the matter. However, repeated follow-ups yielded no results. The situation escalated when the accused and his son allegedly threatened the complainant with harm if he pursued the matter further, claiming connections with local gangs.
The complainant finally approached the Bhandup Police with a detailed complaint on June 6, 2025. The FIR was registered, and Inspector Dipak Shamrav Babar is leading the investigation. This case highlights the persistent risks faced by property buyers in Mumbai, especially involving SRA projects, where legal clarity can be murky. Experts say buyers should conduct thorough legal due diligence and avoid informal arrangements.
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The police investigation is ongoing. Authorities stress that strict action will be taken under the relevant BNS sections to ensure the complainant gets justice.
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