Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 11: In a shocking case of real estate fraud, a woman posing as a senior official from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has been arrested for allegedly duping multiple individuals to the tune of Rs 1.22 crore under the pretext of offering affordable flats in prime localities of Mumbai.
The accused, identified as Bela D’Souza, was apprehended by Dindoshi Police following complaints from three victims who had been promised flats in areas such as Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Mahim, and Bandra. Acting on the complaints, the police booked D’Souza and three others — Kedar Satam, Jitendra Rathod, and Girish Rao — on charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The remaining three are currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway to trace them.
The scam came to light after Rohit Chandgothia, a businessman from Malad, lodged a complaint stating that he was introduced to the gang by one Rocky Agarwal. Satam initially convinced him of a flat in Oshiwara before introducing him to D’Souza, who posed as a senior MHADA officer. Chandgothia was lured with the promise of a flat in Dadar for Rs 80 lakh, of which he paid Rs 72 lakh in cash. Despite receiving a receipt, the flat was never shown to him.
Another victim, Ramkeval Yadav, was persuaded to pay Rs 25 lakh for a purported SRA flat in Goregaon. D’Souza also coaxed Agarwal himself into investing Rs 25 lakh towards the booking and stamp duty of six flats in Bandra and Mahim. All payments were made between March 2022 and March 2025, with none of the promised properties materializing.
As victims began suspecting foul play, the accused ceased all communication and went underground. Following the registration of an FIR at Dindoshi Police Station, Bela D’Souza was taken into custody. Authorities now fear the group may have targeted additional victims and are currently scrutinizing further complaints and documentation to ascertain the full extent of the racket.
Investigations are also underway to determine whether the gang misused names of genuine government housing schemes or officials to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. Police have assured that efforts to nab the remaining accused are being intensified.