Noida Interior Designer Arrested in Multi-Lakh Rupee Fraud Case
The Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate police have made a significant arrest in a high-profile fraud case involving a Noida-based interior design firm. The director of i Home Master Private Limited, identified as 35-year-old Guddu Alam, was taken into custody on Monday for allegedly cheating nearly 20 clients of substantial amounts through deceptive practices.
The Elaborate Scam: How 'Minimal Demolition' Trapped Clients
According to police investigations, Alam, a BTech graduate originally from Madhepura district in Bihar, operated a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting homeowners seeking interior design services. The accused would enter into contracts with clients, typically demanding advance payments ranging from 50 to 60 percent of the total project cost. However, instead of completing the promised work, Alam allegedly employed what investigators are calling a 'minimal demolition' strategy to keep clients trapped in his scheme.
The modus operandi involved initiating just enough preliminary work or minor demolition at project sites to prevent clients from approaching other interior designers. Meanwhile, Alam would simultaneously take on multiple new clients, using their advance payments to cover earlier commitments in a classic Ponzi-style operation. This created a cycle of dependency where funds from new victims were constantly needed to maintain the illusion of progress on previous projects.
Financial Impact and Recovery Operations
The police investigation has so far revealed that Alam siphoned off approximately Rs 94,00,779 from various individuals through his company. However, authorities suspect the total amount involved could exceed Rs 2 crore as more victims are expected to come forward. During the arrest, police recovered significant evidence including six monitors, six CPUs, six keyboards, and a mobile phone from Alam's possession.
One particularly egregious case involves a flat in Greater Noida where Alam allegedly took Rs 10 lakh for interior work but abandoned the project midway. In several instances, when clients demanded refunds or questioned the lack of progress, Alam reportedly responded with abuse and even issued death threats, adding criminal intimidation to his list of alleged offenses.
Social Media Manipulation and Personal Expenditure
During interrogation, Alam admitted to using social media platforms extensively to attract customers and build trust through persuasive phone conversations. "He would reassure clients over phone calls while spending a large portion of the money on personal hobbies," revealed a Noida police officer involved in the investigation.
The accused told police that he had been running the company since 2021 and developed this systematic approach to defraud clients. His educational background as a BTech graduate made the scheme appear more credible to potential victims who might have assumed technical competence and professional integrity.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Two FIRs have been registered against Guddu Alam under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
- Cheating under Section 316
- Criminal intimidation
- Criminal breach of trust
Alam currently resides in Chipiyana Khurd, Tigri, under the jurisdiction of Bisrakh police station. The case highlights growing concerns about fraud in the home renovation and interior design sector, particularly in rapidly developing areas like Noida where construction and home improvement projects are abundant.
Police authorities have urged other potential victims to come forward as they continue their investigation into what appears to be a widespread fraud operation targeting homeowners across the National Capital Region.
