Forgery and impersonation highlight rising risks for NRIs owning land in India
A shocking case of property fraud has exposed the vulnerability of non-resident Indians (NRIs) to real estate scams in India. New York-based NRI Gaurav Narula was allegedly cheated by a Punjab resident, Manish Kumar, and his associates, who used a forged gift deed and impersonation to transfer and sell his 810 sq. m. plot in Gurugram’s Sushant Lok 1 for ₹10.7 crore. Narula, who inherited the land in 1991, discovered the fraud only after acquaintances informed him, reported hindustantimes.com.
Fraudsters used fake gift deed to transfer land worth over ₹10 crore
According to police, the accused fabricated a gift deed in June 2024, showing Narula had transferred the property to his fictitious ‘brother.’ The forged deed was registered at the Wazirabad sub-registrar’s office, enabling the illegal sale.
This case underscores a growing trend of NRI property frauds involving forged documents, misuse of Power of Attorney (PoA), and impersonation.
Safeguards NRIs must adopt to protect assets back home
Legal experts warn that absentee ownership and outdated records make NRIs easy targets.
To prevent fraud, they recommend:
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Updating property records regularly with municipal and land authorities.
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Appointing a caretaker or professional manager to monitor properties during long absences.
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Using a Special Power of Attorney with limited, well-defined powers instead of a broad General PoA.
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Linking land records with Aadhaar, PAN, and contact details for OTP-based verification.
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Opting for joint ownership to make fraudulent transfers more difficult.
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Relying on cooperative housing society checks where mandatory endorsements and clearance certificates add legal safeguards.
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Using bank loans strategically, since hypothecated property cannot be transferred without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the lender.
Experts also suggest that registrars and sub-registrars must play a stronger role in preventing the registration of fabricated documents. Surveillance measures such as installing security cameras and monitoring property through online portals can provide additional protection.
NRI property fraud cases on the rise, legal experts urge vigilance
Lawyers emphasize that while government reforms and cooperative housing regulations provide a safety net, NRIs must remain proactive. Practical steps like appointing narrowly defined PoAs, keeping an active Indian phone number for alerts, and leveraging state-level digital land record systems are crucial to safeguarding valuable real estate assets.
