The Versova police have arrested a 39-year-old man for duping a woman of R35,000 on the pretext of renting out a flat to her posing as its owner. After the woman filed a complaint regarding this, the cops investigated the matter and found out that he was a repeat offender and had duped other people in Charkop and Amboli using the same modus operandi. He has been sent to police custody.

Further probe revealed that Samaarth Bhayanderkar had posted an advertisement regarding the house, in Andheri, on a Facebook group. The victim contacted him based on it, visited the apartment and asked the accused to book it for her. The deal was sealed for a monthly rent of R25,000 and R50,000 security deposit. The same day the woman transferred R25,000 as advance through an online payment mode. The following day the accused told her to transfer another R10,000, which she did.