Ahmedabad: A 60-year-old businessman from the city was allegedly cheated of Rs 47 lakh by a group of 10 people who posed as landowners, forged identity documents and executed fraudulent property transactions involving three plots in Ognaj. An FIR has been registered in connection with the alleged scam.According to a complaint lodged with Sola High Court police on Friday, two property brokers approached the businessman, who operates a real estate office near Science City, and offered to help him purchase three parcels of land in Ognaj. The complainant stated that he had known the brokers for several years and trusted them. They introduced him to individuals posing as the landowners and produced revenue records and ownership documents that appeared genuine.The properties included two plots measuring 2,934 sq m each and a third non-agricultural parcel measuring 11,938 sq m. The FIR alleges that the accused impersonated the actual landowners, forged their Aadhaar and PAN cards, and opened bank accounts in their names at a private bank branch in Vadaj to receive payments.The complainant allegedly transferred money to accounts provided by the brokers and also made cash payments. According to the complaint, two registered sale deeds were executed in April and May 2026, while a notarised agreement for the third parcel was signed in Jan.The alleged fraud came to light when the businessman applied to have the properties transferred to his name in govt records. Notices issued during the mutation process reached the actual landowners, who contacted him and denied having sold the land.According to the FIR, the original owners said they had neither sold the properties nor authorised anyone to execute the transactions. They also disputed the identity documents allegedly used by the impersonators.After discovering the alleged fraud, the businessman initiated proceedings to cancel the two registered sale deeds. He later approached police, alleging that the brokers and their associates conspired to cheat him by creating forged ownership documents and using bank accounts opened through fake identities.Police have registered an FIR against 10 people. Further investigation is underway.
