Rented Flats Scam: Police have uncovered a blatant real estate scam in Kakkanad, Kerala. They arrested a man for renting apartments and then “selling” them to unsuspecting buyers through the online marketplace OLX. Officers caught Mintu Mani, the second accused in the case, while he was living in a rented apartment in Vazhakkala. Authorities are now actively pursuing the scam’s mastermind, Asha, who remains on the run.

Rented Flats Sold on OLX:

The defendants rented apartments in Kakkanad and nearby areas, then listed the same properties for sale as mortgage deals on OLX. They lured unsuspecting victims by promising home mortgages and collected large upfront payments. The fraudsters reused the same apartments, duping multiple buyers who had no idea about each other’s transactions. A complaint about a flat in Global Village Apartments on Manikulangara Road in Kakkanad exposed the scam. The complainants said they had paid for an 11-month mortgage on the apartment.

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One victim paid Rs 6.5 lakh and tried to move in, only to discover that the apartment had already been mortgaged to two other people for Rs 8 lakh. As the scam unfolded, more victims came forward. So far, around 20 people have reported to the police that the fraudsters duped them. Investigators estimate the total scam amount at approximately Rs 20 lakh. Thrikkakara police have filed three separate cases, while Infopark police are investigating two more related complaints.

Similar Case:

A man in Madhya Pradesh defrauded poor individuals of over Rs 13 lakh by luring them with fake promises of making them “journalists” and handing out ID cards. He used the journalist quota as a cover to promise them government apartments. Despite collecting money, he never delivered the promised flats, eventually exposing the scam.

The accused, Yunus Khan, also promised a housing-related NOC from Vindhyachal, Bhopal, and assured the victims they would receive the apartments within six months. Reports say he used the same tactic to cheat multiple people, collecting a total of more than Rs 13 lakh.

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