Maharashtra: Film director duped of Rs 1.50 cr in Goa land scam

Mumbai: Mumbai-based film director Siddharth Jena duped of around Rs 1.50 crore by 10 people promising profitable returns from investing in land and flats in Goa, leading to a case registered for cheating, an official said here on Wednesday.

Bangur Nagar police station has registered an offense under section 420 of IPC and others for alleged cheating.

According to a police complaint, Jena and his wife Ritu, were introduced to “reliable real estate agent” Vikramdev Malhotra in November 2020 and were shown properties on a website.

Jena selected a plot in North Goa for Rs 84 lakh and made an initial payment of Rs 25,000. He later issued cheques of Rs 10 lakh.

In March 2021, Malhotra persuaded Jena to buy more plots, assuring him that the land’s value would triple. Jena paid Rs 48.50 lakh through bank transfers and cash, and Rs 91 lakh to Malhotra’s bank account. He also transferred Rs 7.5 lakh intended for his son’s education, which Malhotra eventually returned.

For two years, Malhotra delayed transferring the land to Jena’s name and didn’t return the money. When a cheque from Malhotra bounced in July 2023, Jena filed a complaint.

The other accused allegedly pretended to be landowners and assisted Malhotra in the fraud.