NEW DELHI: For months, forged bank papers and promises of premium properties moved silently through Delhi’s real-estate corridors. By the time investigators intervened, crores of rupees had vanished, leaving behind a paper trail of fake auctions, laundered funds and a syndicate operating across state lines.
A Complaint That Unraveled a Network
On a June morning this year, a complaint reached the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, alleging that a set of bank documents tied to a high-value property deal were not what they appeared to be. The papers—auction receipts, sale certificates and covering letters—claimed that a prime apartment in DLF Camellias, Gurugram, had already been purchased and could be transferred.
Believing the representations, the complainant transferred ₹12.04 crore through RTGS and demand drafts between August and October 2024. The assurance, investigators later said, was built on documents purportedly issued by the State Bank of India. When the bank was contacted, officials confirmed that every document submitted in support of the transaction was forged.
That confirmation triggered a formal case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and misappropriation. What began as a single transaction soon expanded into a broader inquiry spanning Delhi-NCR and several other states.
Forged Auctions and the Promise of Prime Property
According to the police, the accused presented themselves as intermediaries with privileged access to bank auctions of premium properties. Victims were shown what appeared to be authentic mortgage papers and sale certificates, and were promised immediate possession of high-end real estate—not only in Gurugram’s DLF Camellias but also in prominent locations such as Ambience Mall and other prime addresses in Delhi.
The inducement was urgency and exclusivity: properties that would otherwise be unattainable, offered through inside knowledge of auction processes. Investigators said the documents were carefully prepared to mirror genuine bank formats, complete with official language and supporting paperwork.
As the inquiry widened, officials concluded that the same method had been used repeatedly. The Crime Branch now says the syndicate cheated victims of more than ₹200 crore across several states, including Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Goa, with at least 14 cases linked to similar allegations.
Following the Money Trail
Bank records became central to the investigation. An examination of accounts showed that the ₹12.04 crore transferred by the complainant was credited to accounts linked to the accused’s proprietorship. From there, the funds were routed through multiple bank accounts, some held by associates who allegedly allowed their accounts to be used for laundering the proceeds.
The police arrested Vishal Malhotra and Sachin Gulati on allegations that their accounts were used to circulate the money. Abhinav Pathak, whom investigators say introduced the main accused to the complainant and facilitated the transaction, was also taken into custody. Bharat Chhabra was arrested for allegedly assisting in the preparation of forged documents.
Two cars purchased from the cheated amount were recovered, and investigators said they were being used as pilot and escort vehicles by a wanted accused, Ram Singh, also known as Babaji. A lien has been placed on the bank accounts of those arrested, as well as other accounts identified during the probe.
Arrests, Absconding Accused and a Wider Probe
At the center of the case is Mohit Gogia, described by the police as the mastermind of the operation. After multiple raids in Delhi-NCR, Bhopal and Mumbai, he was traced through technical surveillance and manual intelligence while allegedly fleeing from Mumbai toward Uttarakhand. He was apprehended on November 22, 2025, near Doiwala on the Rishikesh–Dehradun road.
During interrogation, investigators said, Mr. Gogia detailed his role in preparing forged documents, cheating the complainant and distributing funds across several accounts. He also disclosed the involvement of other associates, including Mr. Pathak, Mr. Chhabra, Mr. Malhotra, Mr. Gulati and Ram Singh @ Babaji, who remains absconding.
Officials say several accounts, firms and beneficiaries have now been identified, pointing to a nationwide network under continued investigation.
