MHADA has warned of a scam involving a fraudulent website mimicking its official portal for the 2024 housing lottery. The fake site, https://mhada.org, has misled users into making unauthorized payments, as reported by a victim who paid INR 50,000 under false pretenses. The real application process is through https://housing.mhada.gov.in. MHADA's CEO, Sanjeev Jaiswal, stresses the importance of using only verified channels and avoiding direct payments outside official procedures. With 2,030 flats available, applicants are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to avoid falling victim to such scams.
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is warning potential applicants about a scam related to its 2024 housing lottery. Since the lottery's announcement, fraudsters have been taking advantage of eager homebuyers by setting up a fake website that closely imitates the official MHADA site.
On August 13, MHADA officials discovered a fraudulent website, https://mhada.org, which misleads users into believing it is the official portal for applying to the lottery. The authority has reported the scam to the cyber crime division of the Mumbai police after a complaint from a victim who had already made a payment to the scammers. The applicant, thinking he was following the correct procedure, was led to a real estate project in Goregaon West where a low-income group flat was shown to him. While he believed he was simply applying for a flat, he was misled into making an unauthorized payment of INR 50,000 on the fake site.
According to MHADA authorities, this incident raises significant concerns. Affected individuals may have already been misled, highlighting the need for caution. The imitation site appears similar to the official MHADA website, which is located at https://mhada.gov.in, but it bypasses the official application process entirely. MHADA has made it clear that all applications must be submitted through their official portal at https://housing.mhada.gov.in to be valid for the lottery draw.
MHADA's CEO, Sanjeev Jaiswal, has emphasized the importance of using only verified channels. The official process is entirely online, and applicants must submit their documents through the proper channels. Only after verification can they take part in the lottery and make necessary payments. The legitimate steps in the process must be followed; any requests for direct payments or initial fees outside these steps are simply scams.
To protect yourself against such fraud, it is essential to be vigilant. MHADA has urged the public to refrain from making payments on unofficial websites and to verify their transactions through the official channels. They also do not employ third parties or agents for their applications, further reinforcing the need for applicants to pursue only the official procedures.
In light of this situation, MHADA encourages those who suspect fraudulent activity to report it immediately to their officials. Each applicant should remember that legitimate lottery participation does not require any upfront payments outside the prescribed channels and that any personal information should never be shared with unauthorized individuals.
In conclusion, as the MHADA housing lottery opens for 2,030 flats in Mumbai, hopeful applicants should remain alert. Awareness and diligence can help prevent individuals from falling prey to scams, allowing them to pursue their dream homes legitimately and safely. Stay informed and always check the official MHADA resources for the most accurate information.
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