Gurgaon: A 32-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly posing as a property consultant and defrauding a resident of Rs 4.2 crore by promising bank-auctioned properties at throwaway prices, police said on Tuesday.
Accused Used Fake Accounts and Forged Documents
The accused, identified as Balram Kumar Jha, a native of Darbhanga in Bihar, created an elaborate network of fake bank accounts, forged email IDs, and fabricated sale certificates to convince the victim that the deals were genuine. According to police, Jha allegedly sent forged emails impersonating bank officials and issued fake sale certificates showing that the properties had been successfully allotted to the complainant.
Fraud Uncovered After Verification
The fraud came to light when the complainant verified the documents with Canara Bank and discovered that the auction process, sale certificates, and bank communications were all fake, an officer said. Over several months, the accused allegedly persuaded the victim to transfer nearly Rs 4.2 crore into multiple bank accounts on the pretext of participating in auctions and completing property formalities.
Case Registered and Investigation Underway
Following the complaint, a case was registered at Sector 14 police station under sections of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The probe was later taken over by the Economic Offences Branch-II. The officer further stated, 'It was found that the accused allegedly operated fake bank accounts and forged digital communication channels to gain the trust of victims before siphoning off money in the name of bank auctions.'
Police said the accused will be produced before a court, and further investigation is underway to trace other people linked to the racket, examine the money trail, and identify additional victims, if any.
