Fake AUDA Director Dupes 11 People of ₹24.5 Lakh in Ahmedabad Housing Scam
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Fake AUDA Director Dupes 11 People of ₹24.5 Lakh in Ahmedabad Housing Scam
A man in Ahmedabad has been booked for allegedly impersonating a board director of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) to defraud 11 people of ₹24.50 lakh on the pretext of allocating government housing.
Vastrapur police registered the case against the accused, identified as Rajesh alias Rajbha Babulal Rathod, following a complaint lodged by Niyatiben Jain, a local social media management professional.
Investigators confirmed that more victims have come forward during preliminary probes, with officers preparing to register an additional case against Rathod in the coming days.
Fake Credentials and Claims of Swiss Bank Wealth
The scam unfolded over a nine-month period after Jain initially connected with Rathod for social media promotion work on upcoming Gujarati film projects. During their professional interactions, Rathod claimed he could secure AUDA residential units directly in Ahmedabad without intermediaries.
In February 2026, Jain and her husband visited Rathod’s residence in Vastrapur and paid an initial token amount of ₹1 lakh via bank transfer.
When delays prompted questions, Rathod allegedly produced a forged official document listing himself as an AUDA board director. To project massive financial clout, he showed victims a fabricated bank statement claiming he held ₹3,400 crore in a Swiss bank account alongside high-level political connections.
How 11 Buyers Were Drawn Into the Trap
Reassured by these claims, Jain introduced relatives and associates to Rathod. The accused collected ₹24.50 lakh through cash and direct online bank transfers from 11 individuals on the promise of guaranteed housing allotments.
The victims included Ashaben Desai, Prashant Sanjaybhai Gandhi, Minang Maheshbhai Chudasama, Roshniben Omprakash Pal, Paraben Ganeshbhai Leuva, Ranjit Subhash Thakur, Anand Pravinbhai Mistry, Ketan Ambalal Patel, Nitaben Kamleshbhai Prajapati, Bhavika Suresh Darji, and Mina C Ben Maheshbhai Dantani.
When no housing units materialised, the group confronted Rathod, forcing him to sign a notarised agreement on 1 August committing to return the full amount by 17 August.
Dishonoured Cheque Triggers Police Action
Rathod missed the repayment deadline and subsequently issued a cheque for ₹6.30 lakh to one of the victims, Prashant Gandhi. The cheque bounced upon presentation at the bank.
Suspicious of his actions, the group conducted independent checks with municipal authorities, confirming Rathod held no post or employment with AUDA. The victims then approached the Vastrapur police station to file a formal complaint.
Police have launched an active investigation into Rathod's financial records and forged documentation. No arrests have been made so far, but officials confirmed that further legal action is underway as additional victims report similar transactions.
