Mumbai’s housing dreams turned nightmare for one victim after a fraudster pocketed Rs 37 lakh by falsely claiming MHADA flat allotments. Kalachowki police apprehended Rupesh Sawant from Bhirwande village, ending his run after he duped the complainant with slick promises and fake dealings.
Sawant, hailing from Kanakwli taluka, approached the victim masquerading as a legitimate MHADA agent. He showcased a desirable flat, extracted payments totaling 37 lakhs, then double-sold it to another party. Dodging queries, he dangled a second flat option, grabbing extra cash before bolting.
The breakthrough came via intelligence leads, leading officers to raid his rural refuge. Shockingly, Sawant’s rap sheet includes four prior fraud FIRs across stations, marking him as a serial cheater who preys on housing hopefuls.
A formal complaint under cheating provisions of the new criminal code has been filed. Interrogation is ongoing, with police piecing together his modus operandi of prolonged deception. In a city where MHADA flats are gold, such scams erode trust.
Experts highlight the need for due diligence: always cross-check with MHADA portals. This bust not only recovers some justice for the victim but signals zero tolerance for property fraud in Mumbai’s competitive realty scene. Further arrests may follow as leads surface.