Beware: TRAI and FedEx Impersonation Scams Are Targeting Indians – Here’s How to Stay Safe
Introduction In a disturbing trend, cybercriminals in India have found new ways to exploit people’s trust — by impersonating respected
Name: Khimjibhai Harjivanbhai Patadia
Claimed Profile:
Purportedly “the richest person in India,” based in Kandivali, Mumbai.
Alleges ownership of vast land parcels, multiple companies, and ongoing litigation.
Uses impressive-looking documents (often notarized or on letterhead) to validate claims.
Initial Contact:
Approaches aspiring builders or contractors, presenting as a high-net-worth landowner.
Uses lavish office addresses in Kandivali and official-looking stationery.
Presentation of “Documents”:
Shares land titles, company incorporation papers, and “court stays.”
Documents may appear genuine at a glance but lack valid registration numbers or seals.
Advance Fees & Consulting Charges:
Requests upfront fees (advances, legal retainers, or “due-diligence charges”) to process building approvals or transfer titles.
Often structured as non-refundable “consultancy” payments.
Legal Ambiguity & Delays:
Promises that funds will be returned once paperwork clears “court objections” or “municipal verifications.”
Continuously shifts excuses—new litigations, missing documents, or alleged government holds.
Disappearance:
Once substantial sums are paid (often several lakhs), he cuts off contact or delays refunds indefinitely.
Victims discover that the land is either not in his name or is subject to legal encumbrances making any construction illegal.
Victims: Small contractors, individual builders, and developers looking for affordable plots in Mumbai’s suburbs.
Financial Loss: Estimates range from ₹5 lakh per contractor up to ₹30 lakh, depending on the scale of the “project.”
Emotional Toll: Victims grapple with blocked capital, project delays, and legal confusion—some face bankruptcy.
Verify Land Titles Independently: Always check the Maharashtra Land Records portal for titleholder names and encumbrances.
Use Official Channels: Insist on dealing through registered real-estate agents or lawyers who can confirm ownership.
Demand Originals & Registry Copies: Don’t rely solely on photocopies; request title certificates that you can cross-verify at the Sub-Registrar’s office.
Get Legal Opinions Upfront: Before paying any fees, have a qualified real-estate attorney review all documents.
Refuse Non-Refundable Fees: Any “consultancy” charge should be minimal and fully refundable if the deal falls through.
No matter how convincing someone appears—with fancy documents or grand claims—never hand over money without iron-clad proof of ownership and clear legal title. If you suspect fraud:
Stop all payments immediately.
File an FIR at your local police station.
Consult a lawyer and report suspicious offers to Maharashtra’s consumer helpline (1800-22-3663).
Stay vigilant, verify every claim, and protect your hard-earned money.
Sources Consulted:
Government land registry searches (Maharashtra Land Records Portal)
MCA corporate filings
IndiaKanoon legal database
Local Mumbai news archives
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