NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police have arrested five individuals for allegedly defrauding a man of Rs 12 crore by selling a nonexistent luxury property at DLF Camellias in Gurugram, officials reported on Sunday.
The police indicated that the arrests have unveiled an organized fraud scheme that utilized forged bank auction documents to deceive victims.
In a statement, they confirmed that the Crime Branch dismantled the scheme after filing an FIR under multiple charges, including cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy, in accordance with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
“The syndicate is believed to have defrauded victims of over Rs 200 crore across various states, employing a similar approach that involved fake sale certificates, counterfeit auction documents, and claims of immediate possession of premium properties, including those auctioned by banks,” stated Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam.
The individuals arrested include the alleged mastermind, Mohit Gogia, alongside four accomplices. Authorities are also seeking other conspirators, including Ram Singh, known as ‘Babaji.’
The fraud was uncovered following a complaint received on June 13, which alleged that MG Leasing & Finance, represented by Mohit Gogia and his associates, had committed cheating and forgery.
The complainant claimed the accused presented forged documents concerning a property at DLF Camellias and asserted that their firm had acquired it at a bank auction and could transfer it to her.
“The complainant transferred Rs 12.04 crore to the accused between August and October 2024 via RTGS and demand drafts. However, the bank later confirmed that all documents, including sale certificates and auction receipts, were fraudulent,” the statement noted.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the entire amount of Rs 12.04 crore was credited to a bank account associated with the accused’s firm.
Further analysis of the transaction trails indicated that the accused employed multiple bank accounts and entities to obscure the origins of the funds, officials stated.
Police conducted searches and made several visits across Delhi-NCR, Bhopal, and Mumbai to locate the accused, but Mohit Gogia was elusive.
“Through technical surveillance and intelligence efforts, he was ultimately located while attempting to flee from Mumbai to Uttarakhand,” the statement revealed.
On November 22, Gogia was apprehended near Doiwala on the Rishikesh-Dehradun Road in Uttarakhand by a Crime Branch team.
During interrogation, officials established his involvement in preparing forged documents, cheating the complainant, and distributing the defrauded funds through a network of accounts.
“Gogia also implicated several associates, including Abhinav Pathak, Bharat Chhabra, Vishal Malhotra, Sachin Gulati, and Ram Singh alias Babaji, who played key roles in managing and laundering the fraudulent funds,” the statement indicated.
Following these revelations and technical analysis, the Crime Branch apprehended four more individuals.
Vishal Malhotra, a property dealer, was detained for opening a private bank account at Babaji’s instruction. He received part of the fraudulent funds, executed transfers, and withdrew large sums of cash for Babaji, receiving commission in return.
Sachin Gulati was arrested for permitting his private bank account to be utilized for routing the stolen funds. He admitted to facilitating withdrawals and transfers as per Babaji’s directives.
Authorities noted that Gulati has a previous criminal record in Delhi.
Abhinav Pathak, a medicine distributor, was taken into custody for connecting the complainant with the main accused and facilitating the fraudulent operation, receiving a portion of the stolen funds.
Bharat Chhabra was arrested for assisting in the fabrication of documents used to deceive victims.
The accused knowingly managed and circulated the defrauded money through Babaji and his firm, Babaji Finance, at inflated interest rates as part of a broader criminal scheme.
Authorities have recovered two cars allegedly financed through the stolen funds, which were used as pilot and escort vehicles by Babaji.
“A lien has also been placed on the connected bank accounts of the accused and other suspected accounts,” stated DCP Gautam.
Interrogation revealed that the criminals tempted victims with high-end properties at attractive prices, claiming they were auctioned by banks with immediate possession available.
Victims were presented with fake mortgage and sale certificates, counterfeit allotment letters, and fraudulent registration drafts to induce them into transferring substantial sums.
“The embezzled funds were layered through numerous accounts, firms, and individuals to obscure their origin. The perpetrators earned commissions by providing accounts and facilitating withdrawals, while the primary handler retained the majority of the proceeds,” the statement elucidated.
Mohit Gogia, 38, residing in East Patel Nagar, Delhi, played a key role in identifying disputed or fake properties, crafting false title documents, persuading victims, and collecting funds. He reportedly shared 40% of the profits, while Babaji kept 60%.
Gogia has an extensive criminal record, being wanted or implicated in at least 16 cases across Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Chandigarh, revolving around cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
The DCP highlighted that the syndicate has a nationwide presence. Numerous accounts, firms, and recipients of the embezzled funds have been identified, and further investigation is ongoing to trace additional beneficiaries and victims.
The police are continuing their investigation and efforts to capture the remaining suspects, including Ram Singh alias Babaji, recover the stolen funds, and identify more victims involved in the fraud.
