The dream of owning property in a bustling city like Mumbai is a significant achievement, often involving reliance on professionals like real estate agents. However, a recent case in the city serves as a harsh warning about how that professional trust can be severely misused, resulting in a substantial financial loss for a legitimate property owner. This detailed story centers on a calculated property fraud in Mumbai involving an agent who allegedly cheated an owner out of a whopping ₹12 lakh in rent deposits.
The victim in this case, a 48-year-old man named Santosh Kamble, had inherited two flats located within an SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) project. Like many property owners, Mr. Kamble sought the assistance of a real estate agent to handle the crucial task of leasing the apartments. He entrusted this responsibility to a 42-year-old woman named Subhangi Gaikwad, believing she would manage his assets responsibly and honestly.
Instead of acting as a faithful intermediary, the agent allegedly saw an opportunity for a major scam. Ms. Gaikwad is accused of fabricating a complete lie, she reportedly claimed full ownership of the two inherited flats herself. Armed with this false claim, she began soliciting tenants for the properties as if they were her own. This deceptive move allowed her to operate independently, completely bypassing the actual owner.
In the Mumbai rental market, large security deposits are common and the agent took full advantage of this norm. Using her position, Ms. Gaikwad managed to find two tenants eager to secure housing. She collected heavy deposits from both, totaling a significant sum. From the first tenant, she took ₹5 lakh and from the second, an even larger amount of ₹7 lakh. In total, the accused agent pocketed a massive ₹12 lakh. Crucially, all this money was taken directly from the new occupants, entirely bypassing the actual owner, Mr. Kamble, who remained completely unaware of the transactions and the tenants now occupying his properties.
The serious nature of this deception only came to light later, possibly when Mr. Kamble checked on his properties or through a communication breakdown. The realization that an agent he had trusted had executed a complex scheme, falsely claiming his property as her own and pocketing huge sums, was undoubtedly a major shock. The moment the facts were clear, the owner wasted no time and immediately lodged a formal complaint with the local police authorities.
The authorities acted swiftly, investigating the claims and gathering evidence about the fake ownership representation and unauthorized deposit collection. Following the investigation, the police successfully arrested Subhangi Gaikwad, the housing agent at the center of the controversy, bringing an end to her alleged scheme.
This incident underscores a critical issue in the real estate sector. While the majority of agents are honest and essential professionals, a few individuals can cause immense damage and tarnish the industry’s reputation. The use of inherited properties or properties within special government schemes can sometimes make them vulnerable to fraud, as documentation and ownership chains may be slightly more complex.
This entire episode serves as a powerful reminder for all property owners and prospective tenants in Mumbai and elsewhere. Owners must maintain meticulous records, verify the identity and track record of any agent they hire, and closely monitor their properties for any unauthorized activity. Tenants, on the other hand, should always insist on communicating directly with the registered owner, demand to see original, verified ownership documents, and ensure all rent agreements are legally registered. Vigilance is the strongest defense against sophisticated scams like this property fraud in Mumbai.
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Disclaimer – This article is based on recent news reports of an alleged property fraud in Mumbai. All details are informational and should not be taken as legal advice or definitive proof of guilt.
Source – Times Of India
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