,New Delhi: A wanted accused involved in multiple property investment fraud cases has been arrested in the national capital after evading law enforcement for months. Identified as Rahul Paswan, the accused allegedly duped several people of large sums by posing as a property dealer and promising lucrative real estate deals. He had earlier been declared a proclaimed offender in a cheating case registered in the Laxmi Nagar area.
According to investigators, the accused was apprehended from the Kashmiri Gate area while attempting to flee the city. Acting on specific inputs, the team kept a close watch on his movements before intercepting him. Surveillance had been ongoing for some time to ensure that he could be arrested without alerting him or allowing another escape.
A Pattern of Deception Across Cities
Case records show that Rahul Paswan was declared a proclaimed offender on February 3, 2023, in connection with a cheating case registered in April 2022. The case involves charges related to fraud and criminal conspiracy. Apart from this, his involvement has surfaced in multiple other complaints, indicating a pattern of similar offences across locations.
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The Modus Operandi: Trust, Urgency, Disappearance
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused used a consistent modus operandi to trap victims. He would present himself as a genuine property dealer and approach potential buyers and sellers with attractive offers. After building trust, he would show them flats or properties and demand an initial advance payment to “secure the deal.” Once the money was transferred, he would abruptly cut off contact and disappear, leaving victims with no recourse.
A Fugitive Tracked and Arrested
Investigators have found that at least three cheating cases are registered against him in the Laxmi Nagar area alone. In addition, complaints have been filed in cities such as Gurugram and Faridabad, suggesting that his activities were not limited to one region. The spread of cases across multiple locations points to a wider network or repeated targeting of victims in different cities.
It has also come to light that the accused had been hiding in Faridabad, Haryana, for nearly a year to evade arrest. During this period, he frequently changed locations to avoid detection. However, a combination of technical surveillance and intelligence inputs eventually helped track his movements, leading to his arrest.
Officials familiar with such cases note that fraudsters often adopt professional tactics to appear credible. By posing as legitimate brokers and offering seemingly attractive deals, they manage to gain the confidence of victims. Once trust is established, they push for quick payments, often creating urgency to prevent detailed verification. After securing the funds, they sever all communication, making recovery difficult.
Rising Property Frauds and the Digital Factor
Experts point out that property-related frauds have been rising steadily, especially with the increased use of digital platforms and social media for outreach. Fraudsters are able to connect with potential victims easily and exploit the desire for quick and profitable investments. In many cases, victims fail to verify ownership documents, registration details, or the authenticity of the seller before making payments.
The case highlights the risks associated with property transactions carried out without proper due diligence. Any deal that involves pressure for quick closure or lacks transparency in documentation should be treated with caution. Verifying property records, ownership history, and the credentials of intermediaries is considered essential before committing funds.
Probe Expands to Uncover Wider Network
At present, the accused is being interrogated to gather details about other cases and possible associates involved in the network. Investigators are also trying to determine the total amount involved in the fraud and whether more victims may come forward.
With this arrest, authorities expect to uncover further links and provide relief to victims who may have been defrauded in similar schemes. The case serves as a reminder that vigilance and verification remain the first line of defence against such organized property scams.
