Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 29: A 53-year-old lawyer from Mulund was allegedly cheated of Rs 15 lakh in a property fraud case after a Gujarat-based couple sold the same house to another buyer despite taking a substantial advance from him, police said.

According to officials, the complainant was looking to purchase a property in Valsad when he was introduced to the accused, Maulik Shah, through a friend. Shah, along with his wife Manali Shah, offered to sell their property for Rs 25 lakh.

Following negotiations, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in April 2021. The complainant transferred Rs 20 lakh in multiple instalments via RTGS between April and August 2021.

Police said the accused allegedly delayed the registration process citing reasons such as pending loan clearance and unavailability of original documents. However, in December 2022, the complainant discovered that the same property had already been sold to another buyer for Rs 45 lakh.

When confronted, the accused admitted to the sale and returned Rs 5 lakh, assuring that the remaining amount would be repaid. Despite repeated follow-ups, the balance Rs 15 lakh was not returned.

An FIR was registered at Mulund Police Station on March 25, nearly three years after the alleged fraud came to light.

“The delay in registering the FIR occurred as the accused kept assuring the complainant about completing the transaction and later partially returned Rs 5 lakh, leading him to believe the remaining amount would also be paid. However, when they failed to return the balance, the complainant approached the police,” an officer said.

The accused have been booked for cheating, and further investigation is underway.