Mumbai Police Arrest Duo for Housing Scam via Fake MHADA Website

Mumbai Police's Cyber Crime unit has arrested two men for duping individuals through a fake website, imitating the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's portal. The accused, Kalpesh Sevak and Amol Patel, deceived victims into paying Rs 30 lakh for non-existent flats. The official MHADA reported the scam, leading to their arrests.

Mumbai Police's Cyber Crime unit apprehended two men for allegedly creating a website mimicking the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's (MHADA) portal, thus defrauding people under the pretense of offering government scheme flats, an official disclosed on Sunday.

The accused, Kalpesh Sevak, reportedly developed the website, while his accomplice Amol Patel posed as a MHADA officer, convincing victims to part with Rs 30 lakh for non-existent flats, according to the official.

Sevak was captured in Mumbai's Mahim area, and Patel from Nalasopara in Palghar district, the police stated.

The fraudulent website, mhada.org, was crafted to deceive users into making online payments. MHADA's legitimate website is http://mhada.gov.in.

MHADA, a state-run housing authority, offers affordable housing in Maharashtra. The scam was reported by MHADA, prompting an FIR under the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

The accused contacted flat aspirants via the fake website, claiming flats were available in Goregaon for Rs 30 lakh, coercing victims to pay through a provided online link, the official explained.

(With inputs from agencies.)