Malad Police Nab Six in Elaborate Real Estate Fraud Scheme
Mumbai's Malad police have made significant progress in cracking down on a sophisticated real estate fraud operation. Officers arrested six individuals who allegedly worked together as a gang to cheat homebuyers. The arrests came after a detailed investigation into complaints from victims who lost substantial amounts of money.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The scheme began when the gang posted advertisements for properties on popular real estate websites. They used forged documents to make their listings appear legitimate. When potential buyers showed interest, the gang members would arrange property viewings and negotiations.
In one specific case, a 31-year-old Malad resident named Naval Rajput had been searching for a flat for nearly six months. Between November and December last year, he received a call from a man identifying himself as Amit Thakur. Thakur offered Rajput a flat in a building located on Zakaria Road in Malad West.
Thakur's associates, including Deepak Shah, showed Rajput a flat on the thirteenth floor. After negotiations, they finalized the deal at 1.10 crore rupees. Shah then introduced another man who claimed to be the flat owner, Popatlal Sandesha, and provided what appeared to be legitimate property documents.
Trusting these documents, Rajput paid 26 lakh rupees by cheque and an additional 4 lakh rupees in cash as an initial payment. He even recorded a video while handing over the cheque and cash, thinking he was documenting a legitimate transaction.
The Discovery and Police Action
The fraud came to light when Rajput began asking about registering the flat in his name. Thakur repeatedly avoided addressing this issue. Growing suspicious, Rajput visited the society office where he learned a shocking truth.
While the actual flat owner's name was indeed Popatlal Sandesha, the person who had accepted Rajput's payment was an impostor. The real owner had no knowledge of the transaction. Rajput immediately approached the Malad police station.
Police registered a First Information Report on December 29, 2025, under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation quickly gained momentum as officers traced the bank account where Rajput's cheque had been deposited.
The Arrests and Identities
Police identified and arrested the following individuals:
- Hitesh Ravindra Kedari, 30, a delivery boy from Dahisar East
- Rajesh Prasad, 37, a delivery boy from Kandivali West
- Nimesh Mevani, 49, from Thane who posed as the flat owner
- Mohammad Rafiq Rashid Khan, 38, from Andheri West
- Deepak Shah, 47, a property broker from Nalasopara
- Rajan Kakkar, 45, from Borivali West
Investigators arrested Kedari and Prasad on January 7 after tracing the bank account. Based on information obtained from them, police apprehended Kakkar and Khan last week. Shah and Mevani faced arrest on January 13.
All six accused currently remain in custody. Four are in police custody until January 20, while Kedari and Prasad have been sent to judicial custody.
The Main Accused Remains at Large
The primary suspect, Amit Thakur, continues to evade capture. Police have identified him as a 30-year-old man who also goes by the name Qasim Rashid Khan. Investigators believe he has cheated multiple victims using similar methods.
Police records show an FIR registered against Khan at Dahisar police station where he allegedly duped a person of 31 lakh rupees. Another case at Kashimira police station accuses him of cheating a man of 1.1 crore rupees.
The Malad police investigation continues as officers work to locate Thakur and uncover the full extent of this fraud network. Authorities urge homebuyers to exercise extreme caution when dealing with real estate transactions and to verify all documents thoroughly before making payments.
