Kochi, Kerala — The Kochi City Police have arrested two men for allegedly defrauding a 41-year-old woman by using a fraudulent lease agreement to extract ₹20 lakh from her, police sources said. The incident has sparked concern over property scams and underscored the need for greater vigilance when entering into real-estate transactions.
According to the police, the accused — Ajil Sebastian (31) and Arjun C L (33) — lured the victim with a seemingly legitimate offer to lease an apartment in the popular Green Vistas Prakrriti residential complex. The pair convinced the woman that the flat was available and provided photos and a lease agreement dated December 11, 2025, persuading her to transfer the money to them.
The deception came to light when the actual property owners contacted the victim on February 3, 2026, informing her that she had no rights to the apartment and must vacate immediately. Shocked by the revelation, the woman filed a complaint with the local police station, prompting a prompt investigation by the Ernakulam Rural police.
Police investigations revealed that the two accused are linked to multiple similar fraud cases, with several complaints from individuals who were allegedly cheated through fake lease deals. Following their arrest, both Ajil and Arjun were produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody as officers continue efforts to track down additional suspects allegedly involved in the network.
Officials said the case highlights a growing trend of property-related frauds in Kochi, where scammers exploit buyers and tenants with bogus agreements and forged documents. Legal experts and police have advised residents to verify property ownership and registry records at the Sub-Registrar’s office before signing any agreement or transferring funds.
As part of the ongoing probe, detectives are examining bank transactions and digital communications to unravel the full extent of the scam and identify others who may have been victimised.
