A Mumbai-based couple allegedly lost more than Rs 30 lakh after being lured into purchasing what they believed was an affordable Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) flat in Amboli, police said.
According to investigators, the fraud was carefully planned over several months using forged documents, fake registration formalities and access to an actual flat inside an SRA building to convince the victims that the deal was genuine.
D,N. Nagar Police have arrested Rahul Rajendra Tiwari, one of the main accused in the case, after he allegedly remained absconding for nearly a month.
Police said the court has remanded him to police custody, while two other accused — Mahesh Tiwari and Mahesh Karande — are currently absconding.
Couple was searching for affordable housing
Officials said complainant Tayamma Mallesh Dhangar and her husband, who works at a travel firm, had been searching for an affordable home in Mumbai due to rising property prices.
The couple was reportedly looking for low-cost SRA or MHADA housing in the Andheri area when they came into contact with the accused through relatives.
The accused allegedly claimed they could arrange discounted SRA flats through their contacts.
Hotel meetings, fake documents
In March 2025, the accused allegedly called the couple to a hotel in Goregaon and offered them a flat at Om Sai SRA Cooperative Housing Society on Kaiser Road in Amboli.
Police said the deal was finalised at Rs 45 lakh and notarised papers were prepared to make the transaction appear legal.
Believing the documents to be genuine, the couple allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh as token money.
Real flat used to gain trust
Investigators said the accused later took the victims to Flat No. 1604 on the 16th floor of the SRA building.
The couple inspected the flat and were convinced that the property and documents were authentic.
Police said the accused deliberately used a real flat inside an existing SRA building to gain the victims’ confidence. The couple later paid another Rs 20.50 lakh in instalments.
Fake registration and biometric
According to police, the accused also staged a fake registration process to further convince the victims.
In July 2025, the couple was allegedly called for biometric formalities related to flat registration. However, they were later told that the process could not be completed because of server issues.
In September, Mahesh Karande was allegedly introduced as the person handling the biometric and documentation process.
A few days later, the accused allegedly handed over flat keys and documents, making the victims believe that possession had been completed.
The fraud was exposed when the couple visited the property again and found the flat sealed from outside.
Suspicious of foul play, they approached the SRA office to verify the documents and allegedly discovered that all the papers connected to the transaction were forged.
Police said the couple had been cheated of Rs 30.50 lakh through the fake property deal.
Police probe larger fraud angle
Police are now investigating whether the accused used the same method to target other homebuyers searching for affordable SRA or MHADA housing.
Investigators are also probing how the accused gained access to the flat shown to the victims and whether vacant or disputed rehabilitation units were being misused in similar fraudulent deals.
Further investigation is underway.
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