Scammed Over a Flat: Mumbai Man Loses ₹1.07 Crore After Sending Money 215 Times Over 6 Years

A shocking case of cyber fraud has surfaced from Mumbai, where a man was duped of ₹1.07 crore over six years in the name of a cheap 2BHK flat. The fraudster, posing as a builder’s agent, lured the victim through a fake Facebook advertisement and systematically extorted money under various false pretenses. This incident is now being dubbed as one of the most prolonged and deceptive real estate scams involving 215 money transfers between 2018 and 2024.

🏙️ How It All Started

The victim, 43-year-old Shekhar Patil, a resident of Dadar, Mumbai, was actively looking to purchase an affordable flat. While scrolling through Facebook, he came across a suspiciously low-priced 2BHK apartment ad.

Intrigued, he contacted the number provided, which connected him to Sanyam Devmani Pandey, who introduced himself as a real estate agent working for a reputed builder. To build trust, the scammer shared documents and asked Patil to fill out a form with personal details — a tactic often used in identity fraud.

💰 215 Payments, No Property

The scam began with an initial demand of ₹50,000 as a registration fee. Over time, the fraudster demanded money under various excuses such as:

• MHADA clearance fees

• BMC NOC charges

• Stamp duty

• File processing costs

• Legal charges

• Advance booking amounts

Between 2018 and 2024, Patil made 215 separate payments, totaling ₹1.07 crore, believing he was progressing through a genuine home-buying process.

Despite repeated assurances and fabricated documents, no property was ever handed over.

🚨 How the Fraud Was Uncovered

When Patil finally grew suspicious, he filed a complaint with the Cyber Cell on June 3, 2025. Investigators traced the scam using:

• Email communication records

• Bank account details

• Fake Facebook page metadata

• IP address logs

The trail led to Badlapur in Thane district, where the accused Sanyam Devmani Pandey was arrested. According to the police, Pandey created multiple fake identities and pages to carry out his con.

🕵️ More Victims Suspected

Authorities believe this might not be an isolated case. The Cyber Cell suspects there may be more victims who fell for similar flat-buying traps on social media platforms. They are actively seeking public help to identify others who may have unknowingly shared funds with the fraudster.

⚠️ A Cautionary Tale for Online Real Estate Deals

This case serves as a stern warning for all potential homebuyers:

❌ Do NOT:

• Trust social media ads offering "too good to be true" property deals.

• Transfer money to unknown accounts without verifying the identity of the agent or builder.

• Share personal documents or financial information without due diligence.

✅ DO:

• Verify listings via official property portals.

• Check builder credentials with RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority).

• Consult a licensed real estate broker or legal advisor before any large financial commitment.

• Report suspicious pages on platforms like Facebook.

🧠 Final Thoughts

In a country where real estate remains a dream for millions, scams like these not only rob victims of their money but also their trust in digital platforms. With cyber fraudsters now using professional-grade fake documents, social media ads, and email phishing, users must be more vigilant than ever.

If you’ve been approached with a similar offer, report it to the Cyber Cell immediately. Never forget — if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.