Case filed after businessman ‘duped of Rs 1.5 cr’ on pretext of buying flat

According to the police officials, the complainant and the person named as an accused in the case are residents of south Mumbai. The police said that the complainant was planning to buy a flat for his son, when he allegedly came across an acquaintance who informed him about an available flat on the third floor of his building.

“The acquaintance was the flat owner and he claimed he was willing to sell the flat for Rs 3.25 crore,” said an officer adding, “And as the two parties agreed, the complainant initially paid him a token amount of Rs 5 lakh and subsequently transferred Rs 1.45 crore in three installments between June and November 2018.” However, later when the complainant inquired about the flat with the committee members of the building, he came to know that it is a disputed property, as there is a legal disagreement between the owner and the bank over a loan repayment.

“As the owner of the flat was not transferring the ownership of it under the complainant’s name nor did he return the money, he then lodged a complaint with the police,” said an officer.