MHADA Housing Fraud: How Senior Citizens Were Duped of Life Savings.

MHADA Housing Scam: Senior Citizens Cheated of ₹79 Lakh in Elaborate Agent Fraud

• Andheri Retirees Lose ₹70 Lakh in Elaborate MHADA Property Scheme

• Bounced Cheques and False Promises: Tracking the Money

• Corrupt MHADA’s Official Stance: No Agents, Only Online Lotteries

A Sprouts News investigation uncovers a ₹79 lakh MHADA housing scam that deceived senior citizens in Mumbai. Fraudulent agents, including Arvind Baban Lambe and Avinash Sanjay Kumar, posed as MHADA officials and promised flat allotments in exchange for large deposits. Police have registered cases under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at MIDC and Agripada stations. The scam highlights a rising trend of housing fraud targeting retirees and the urgent need for greater buyer awareness.

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MHADA Housing Scam: Senior Citizens Cheated of ₹79 Lakh in Elaborate Agent Fraud

A growing wave of sophisticated real estate scams is targeting homebuyers through unauthorized agents claiming special access to MHADA flats. Recent FIRs reveal elderly citizens have lost substantial savings in elaborate schemes. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority confirms all flat allocations occur only through official lottery systems.

Two separate cases filed at MIDC and Agripada police stations expose identical cheating patterns. Retired couples and single parents are being manipulated by agents promising guaranteed flat allotments. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team examines these fraudulent operations and provides essential safety guidelines for prospective buyers.

Police have registered cases under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigations are currently underway against multiple accused individuals. The incidents highlight critical vulnerabilities in public awareness about official housing allocation procedures.

Andheri Retirees Lose ₹70 Lakh in Elaborate MHADA Property Scheme

Deepak Tudvekar, 62, and his wife sought housing security for their children. The retired private firm employee and former LIC manager approached property dealer Arvind Lambe in October 2023. Lambe allegedly claimed strong connections with MHADA officials through a common relative.

The accused showed the couple flats in Bajaj Emerald Society, Andheri East. He promised allocation of a specific flat for ₹1.70 crore. Lambe arranged a meeting with Avinash Kumar, who posed as a senior MHADA officer. Kumar confirmed one flat could be transferred to the Tudvekars.

An MoU was signed regarding the flat transaction. The complainant paid ₹70 lakh in three installments to the accused. Fraud Arvind Baban Lambe charged a 2% brokerage commission for his services. The couple visited the premises and approved the flat before payment.

After eight months, no paperwork progress materialized. The accused stopped responding to calls and messages completely. Tudvekar demanded his money back in August 2024 without success. The MIDC police subsequently registered a cheating case.

Borivali Mother Defrauded of ₹9 Lakh in Fake Flat Allocation

In a parallel case, Jabeen Mohammad Anwar Khan (36) sought housing through her father’s contacts. The single mother lives with her parents and young son in Mumbai. Her father approached friend and estate agent Nisar Ansari (54) for assistance.

Ansari introduced them to Sameer Liyakat Chauhan (48), a purported MHADA flat dealer. Chauhan and his wife Mahek (40) showed a Borivali East flat priced at ₹13.5 lakh. The flat was located in Aashray Co-operative Housing Society.

Jabeen paid ₹10.5 lakh by cheque with additional cash payments demanded later. An MoU was signed on March 5, 2023, and notarized by her lawyer. The transaction appeared legally valid.

Upon visiting the flat, she discovered another family already residing there. The legitimate owners had purchased it directly from MHADA through proper channels. Chauhan then offered an alternative flat at United Apartments, Sir JJ Road.

This second property also proved fraudulent with no ownership documents. Chauhan issued three cheques worth ₹11.5 lakh that subsequently bounced. Partial refunds of ₹1.5 lakh left ₹9 lakh unrecovered.

Official MHADA Guidelines: Avoiding Real Estate Fraud

MHADA operates exclusively through digital lottery systems. The authority warns citizens against dealing with unauthorized intermediaries. All applications must be submitted via housing.mhada.gov.in portal only.

No agents or brokers are recognized for MHADA flat allocation processes. The organization never demands cash payments outside official channels. All transactions occur through secure banking gateways with proper documentation.

Prospective applicants should verify all information through official helplines. MHADA maintains a dedicated support number (022-69468100) for clarification. Vigilance officers can confirm property legitimacy before any payments.

Earnest Money Deposits range between ₹5,000-20,000 based on income category. These payments are refunded if applicants don’t receive allotments. MHADA never requests substantial upfront payments for flat allocations.

Also Read: Actor Aayush Shah Files ₹4.44 Crore MyFledge Scam Case.

Understanding MHADA’s Transparent Lottery Process

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority conducts regular housing lotteries across regional boards . Konkan, Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik boards announce schemes through official portals. Each lottery follows computerized random selection without human intervention.

Eligibility requires Maharashtra domicile certificates proving 15 years’ residency. Applicants must be over 18 years old with valid income documentation. Different income categories (EWS, LIG, MIG, HIG) determine flat eligibility and pricing.

The online application process involves registration at housing.mhada.gov.in. Applicants must provide PAN, Aadhaar, income certificate, and domicile proof. No offline applications or agent-assisted submissions are accepted through official channels.

Recent MHADA lotteries offered 6,968 units in Pune and 5,285 flats in Konkan regions. Successful applicants receive immediate online notifications. The entire process is publicly transparent with published candidate lists.

Protecting Yourself From Housing Fraud: Expert Recommendations

Verify agent credentials through official MHADA vigilance departments before transactions. The authority maintains no authorized agent network for flat allocations. Cross-check employee identities directly with organization headquarters.

Insist on online payments through MHADA’s secure banking channels only. Avoid cash transactions or direct bank transfers to individual accounts . Official payments always generate immediate receipt confirmations.

Physical verification of properties should include checking existing occupants. Request original allotment letters from current residents. Confirm documentation matches MHADA’s official records before commitments.

Consult legal professionals specializing in real estate before signing agreements. Notarized documents don’t guarantee legitimacy if based on fraudulent claims. Legal aid can verify property ownership history and title clarity.

Report suspicious approaches immediately to MHADA’s vigilance officer or local police. Early reporting prevents further victimization of other potential targets. Documentation helps authorities identify organized fraud networks.

Strengthening Institutional Responses to Housing Fraud

The recurring pattern of MHADA-related scams demands systematic institutional response. Enhanced public awareness campaigns about official procedures could reduce victim susceptibility. Simple verification processes might prevent financial devastation for vulnerable citizens.

Strengthened cybercrime monitoring could identify fraudulent online advertisements faster. MHADA could implement proactive scanning for unauthorized usage of their branding. Immediate legal actions against fake portals would reduce scam visibility.

Collaborative vigilance networks between MHADA and law enforcement might streamline fraud reporting. Dedicated hotlines and rapid response teams could investigate suspect operations faster. This coordinated approach would demonstrate institutional commitment to citizen protection.

The digital transformation of MHADA’s processes has increased transparency significantly . However, elderly and technologically disadvantaged citizens remain vulnerable to exploitation. Community workshops and simplified verification tools could bridge this awareness gap effectively.

As Mumbai’s affordable housing demand increases, so does the sophistication of fraud operations. Public education remains the most powerful defense against these predatory schemes. Institutional vigilance and citizen awareness together can secure housing dreams from criminal exploitation.