A 52-year-old temple priest from Vikhroli was allegedly duped of Rs 84 lakh in a fake flat deal in a Bhandup redevelopment project. Police have booked a developer, his associate, and bank officials for cheating and criminal conspiracy
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 Outdated or invalid documents accepted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
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