Six fake agents cheat home-buyers of `47L

The Kashimira police are on the lookout of racketeers who disappeared after duping prospective tenants to the tune of more than Rs47 lakh under the guise of offering them flats on a heavy depositzero rental scheme. One accused has been arrested and a search to nab the other five is underway, the police said.

According to the police, the gang members floated advertisements on social networking sites. They offered rent-free residential accommodation by paying one-time security deposits ranging between

Rs10 to Rs12 lakh, which is returnable at the end of the tenure.

Responding to the advertisement, a 32-year-old woman from Kandivali, contacted the advertiser who asked her to come to their office in Kashimira. The racketeers not only took them to a flat but also showed them the documents related to the property. The deal was struck, and the woman transferred a total of Rs12.21 lakh to bank accounts specified by the fraudsters.

When the complainant asked for the keys of the apartment, the fraudsters started doling out lame excuses and killing time on one pretext or the other. Sensing something fishy, the complainant demanded a refund, following which the fraudsters handed over dud cheques amounting Rs9.21 lakh, prompting her to file a complaint.

Surprisingly, three others had also been collectively duped of Rs47.01 lakh in the past two months in a similar fashion by the fly-by-night operators, who disappeared after closing their office.

The police have registered four FIRs under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and are in the process of scrutinising many such complaints.

One arrested; search to nab other 5 is underway; woman lost `12.21 lakh; She was given dud cheques