Two fraudsters arrested in fake 2BHK housing allotment scam

Two persons were arrested by the Sultan Bazar police on charges of cheating multiple victims by promising government double-bedroom housing in Hyderabad using forged documents.

The accused were identified as Usikela Vijay, 35, a finance collection agent from Nizamabad, and Ambam Murali, 54, an electrician, also from Nizamabad. Police said the duo targeted unsuspecting individuals by falsely claiming they could secure government 2BHK houses in and around Hyderabad.

Investigations revealed that Vijay would approach victims at community gatherings and introduce Murali as an assistant director with the Telangana State Housing Corporation. Posing as politically influential intermediaries, the two collected large sums of money in cash and through online transfers, promising early allotment of double-bedroom houses.

The case came to light following a complaint lodged on September 11 by S. Saraswathi, a social worker from Koti. She told police that Vijay met her at a Mudiraj community event at Gunfoundry and claimed to have close links with politicians and senior officials. The accused later handed over fabricated 2BHK allotment letters bearing forged signatures of government officials and counterfeit seals and stamps.

Police said at least 19 people, including the complainant, were cheated of about ₹39 lakh. A case was registered at Sultan Bazar police station under sections related to criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery, and an investigation led to the arrest of the accused.

Officials said preliminary enquiries suggest the duo may have committed similar offences in other parts of Hyderabad and elsewhere. The accused are likely to be taken into police custody for further interrogation to trace additional victims and establish their involvement in other cases.