A Delhi-based real estate company, M/s P K S Estate, has been cheated of ₹85 lakh in a fraudulent land transaction involving an 850 sq. m. plot at Parra, Bardez, Goa. The scam surfaced when the company’s application for mutation of the property was denied. Authorities revealed that the individuals who executed the sale deed were not the rightful legal heirs of the property, bringing the fraudulent activity to light.
Akash Mishra, the authorized signatory for M/s P K S Estate, filed a formal complaint with the Mapusa police. The complaint accused eight individuals of orchestrating the scam. Those named include Elizabeth Mascarenhas from Calangute, Joyce Felix D’Silva from Mumbai, Grenville John Desa from the USA, John Romero Dessa from Telangana, Blossom Cashin from Dubai, and Clifford Viegas, Anita Viegas, both from Caranzalem, along with John Menezes from Mumbai.
As per the complaint, the accused falsely represented themselves as the legal heirs of the property to lure the real estate firm into purchasing it. They reportedly prepared and submitted fraudulent documents to support their claims. The transaction took place at the Civil Registrar cum Sub Registrar’s office in Bardez, where a sale deed was executed, and payment for the land was received.
The fraud came to light when the company attempted to register the property and faced rejection from the authorities, who confirmed that the sellers had no legitimate ownership of the land. This revelation exposed the elaborate scam and led to criminal charges being filed against the accused.
The Mapusa police have registered a case against the eight individuals under charges of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Investigations are ongoing to track down the accused, assess the extent of their fraudulent activities, and recover the money involved in the transaction.
This incident underscores the challenges and risks in property dealings, particularly in regions with complex ownership disputes. It serves as a reminder for real estate firms and buyers to conduct meticulous due diligence and legal verification of property documents to avoid falling victim to such scams.
