A Gurugram resident has approached the city’s cyber police alleging that a fake property advertisement circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms has falsely projected his luxury penthouse in DLF Golf Links as a “distress deal”, causing reputational damage and mental distress, officials said.
The complaint seeks removal of the ad and action to curb misuse of WhatsApp for fraudulent real estate listings. (File photo)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
According to the complaint submitted to the police commissioner, an unidentified individual posing as a broker has been circulating messages on WhatsApp statuses and groups claiming that a penthouse located at The Magnolias, DLF Golf Links on Golf Course Road, is being sold at a distressed price of ₹70 crore. The complainant stated that the property is not on sale and that he has been residing there for over a decade.
The complainant, Kunwer Sachdev, founder of Su-Kam and Su-vastika, said the misuse of such terminology was misleading and defamatory. “The use of the term ‘distress deal’ wrongly implies financial hardship and creates a false narrative in society. This is fraudulent and defamatory, and such cases are on the rise,” Sachdev said, urging police to identify the person behind the advertisement, stop its circulation and initiate legal action.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
He added that the false listing had caused embarrassment and mental distress by suggesting financial difficulties. He also sought steps to prevent the misuse of social media platforms for circulating misleading property advertisements.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
He added that the false listing had caused embarrassment and mental distress by suggesting financial difficulties. He also sought steps to prevent the misuse of social media platforms for circulating misleading property advertisements.
{{/usCountry}}
Responding to the complaint, Priyanshu Dewan, assistant commissioner of police (cybercrime), said an inquiry has been initiated. “All details related to the complaint are being collected. Once the inquiry is completed and the necessary material is available to corroborate the allegations, an FIR will be registered for taking further legal action against the suspects involved,” he said, adding cases involving fake listings and impersonation in high-value property segments are rising.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.
