Mumbai temple priest duped of Rs 84 lakh in fake flat deal

Representation pic/iStock

What began as a familiar face offering prayers at a Vikhroli temple allegedly turned into a calculated property fraud, with a 52-year-old priest losing Rs 84 lakh after being lured into buying a flat in a Bhandup redevelopment project that the seller did not own. Police have booked a developer, his associate and bank officials, alleging that the accused built credibility through a bank-sanctioned home loan and selectively verified documents, before routing large sums through multiple accounts and concealing prior transfer of development rights.

Role of bank officials under scanner

. Loan sanctioned despite incomplete and selective verification
. Outdated or invalid documents accepted
. Prior transfer of development rights allegedly ignored
. No-objection certificate accepted from an unauthorised individual

At a glance

Complainant: 52-year-old temple priest, Vikhroli
Accused: Developer, associate, bank officials
Project location: Bhandup redevelopment site

Loan component: ~R33 lakh
Timeline: 2021-2023

How the deal was made to look legitimate

. Home loan of ~R33 lakh arranged via the accused's contacts
. Loan sanctioned and disbursed by bank officials
. Payments made via bank transfers, cheques, and online modes

What exposed the fraud

Civil dispute filed in 2023 by original project stakeholders

Probe revealed:
. Flat belonged to an original member, not the accused
. Development rights already transferred years earlier
. Key facts concealed

How the trust trap was built

. Accused frequented the temple, befriended the priest (since 2021)
. Offered flat below market rate in a redevelopment project
. Gained confidence through repeated interactions

Where the money went

. Funds routed to multiple third-party accounts
. Transfers done on the accused's instructions
. Excuses of "financial issues" given when questioned

Legal action

. Case registered under cheating and criminal conspiracy
. Probe underway into all accused, including bank officials
. Money trail across multiple accounts is being traced