New York-Based Indian Expatriate Falls Victim to ₹10.7 Crore Land Fraud Through Fabricated Gift Documents

A shocking property fraud case has surfaced in Gurugram involving a US-based Non-Resident Indian, Gaurav Narula, whose valuable plot was allegedly stolen through elaborate property fraud schemes and forged identity documents.

Fraud Details Overview

How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded

Authorities reported that a Punjab resident, Manish Kumar (45), along with his accomplices, allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated fraudulent gift deed that transferred ownership of the 810 square meter plot from Gaurav Narula to Kumar, who falsely claimed to be Narula's brother. The forged deed, which was registered in June 2024 at the Wazirabad registry, reportedly paved the way for a ₹10.7 crore sale to an unsuspecting third party.

To make the fraud appear authentic, investigators revealed that the conspirators fabricated crucial identity documents—including Aadhaar and PAN cards—and physically impersonated Narula during the registration process, despite the fact that the actual property owner had not visited India since January 2020.

The deception reportedly came to light when a property dealer contacted the Narula family after discovering suspicious documentation related to the disputed plot. Following this discovery, the Economic Offences Wing promptly filed a case and successfully arrested Kumar in Ferozepur while continuing their pursuit of other parties allegedly involved in the scheme.

Critical Implications for Overseas Property Owners

Legal experts suggest this case highlights significant vulnerabilities faced by absentee landowners—particularly NRIs investing in Indian real estate—when dealing with remote property transactions. Industry analysts indicate the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures, including:

• Stringent verification procedures during property transfers
• Enhanced oversight within registrar offices nationwide
• Robust recourse mechanisms for victims of land fraud

Property law specialists emphasize that this case demonstrates how NRI property rights protection requires immediate attention from regulatory authorities. The incident also highlights the importance of implementing advanced verification systems that can prevent such real estate fraud cases in the future.