Only in Gurgaon can a dead man sell his property. The latest case comes at a time when the administration has tightened its grip on the property registration process. Gurgaon is reportedly a city where three property frauds surface every month.
Earlier this week, a case was filed with Palam Vihar police station after a property was found registered using fake documents. The person who registered the property was Dharmendera, who police said died in December 2009.
A dealer impersonated the dead man and registered the plot. Rajbala bought it, and after a few months sold it to Usha Rani, using fake documents. Soon Rani came to know about the fraud, and rushed to the police.
Property fraud cases in Gurgaon continue to haunt people. At least four cases were registered within a week. Property experts say this trend proves that the criminal activity will go on for some time, until the authorities take strict action.
"The increasing number of incidents is due to easy availability of fake documents. Fraudsters get hold of fake voter ID cards, PAN cards and general power of attorney (GPA). Then they target NRIs and unaware people," said Alok Mittal, joint commissioner of police, Gurgaon. "Buyers should be alert before buying property. They should get it verified by the authority concerned," said Mittal.
On Tuesday, another fraud case was filed with DLF Phase 2 police station. Complainant Hament Gupta filed an FIR against Vijay Manchanda and wife Shashi Manchanda, who owned the flat in question. Gupta said the couple cheated him of R29 lakh, which he paid them in 2006 to buy a flat in Essel Tower. Gupta alleged that Manchanda sold it to another person and had not returned his money.
{{/usCountry}}On Tuesday, another fraud case was filed with DLF Phase 2 police station. Complainant Hament Gupta filed an FIR against Vijay Manchanda and wife Shashi Manchanda, who owned the flat in question. Gupta said the couple cheated him of R29 lakh, which he paid them in 2006 to buy a flat in Essel Tower. Gupta alleged that Manchanda sold it to another person and had not returned his money.
{{/usCountry}}According to the police, 12 of the 37 cases in 2010 involved the same property being sold twice. In the rest, the registry was done by impersonating the owner. The Gurgaon police want officials to verify property transactions after at least 37 cases of fraud worth R200 crore were reported last year. "Property owners should keep a caretaker if they don't live on the premise. The gangs target NRIs and people who are not familiar with the buying process," said Mittal.