The Andheri Police have arrested a key accused in connection with a fraud case in which a woman entrepreneur was cheated of ₹1.53 crore under the pretext of selling and leasing resort, farmhouse, and bungalow properties in Borivali and Malad that were already under bank seizure.
The accused has been identified as Maris Benny Kinni, who is currently in police custody. Four others—Santan Maris Kinni, Jiko Maris Kinni, Aik Maris Kinni, and Steffi Mario Grosias—have been named as co-accused in the case. Police officials stated that Maris is the main accused and has a prior history of fraud cases, including one investigated by the Economic Offences Wing, in which he is currently out on bail.
According to police, the complainant, a woman entrepreneur residing in Andheri with her mother and two children, is engaged in the real estate business and is assisted by her cousin. She came in contact with Maris Kinni in December 2022 while purchasing a car from him for ₹15 lakh.
During their interaction, the accused claimed ownership of multiple properties, including a 14,603 sq. meter resort and farmhouse in Borivali’s Manori area and an 1,850 sq. meter bungalow in Malad. He initially offered these properties on lease, leading to discussions for renting all three properties against a heavy deposit of ₹75 lakh.
In March 2023, the accused received a notice from the municipal corporation demanding payment of ₹28.45 lakh in pending property taxes for the period between 2016 and 2022, failing which the properties were to be seized. On this pretext, he took money from the complainant to clear the dues.
Despite receiving the agreed deposit and additional payments, the accused neither handed over possession of the properties nor executed any legal agreements. When the complainant demanded a refund, the accused proposed selling the properties instead, quoting ₹8 crore for all three and assuring proper documentation.
Finding the proposal attractive, the complainant agreed and paid further amounts. However, continued delays raised suspicion, prompting her to verify the property details. She then discovered that the Kinni family had already mortgaged the resort and farmhouse to Nashik Merchants Cooperative Bank for ₹2 crore and the bungalow to Malshej Nagari Cooperative Credit Society for ₹1 crore. Due to non-payment of loan instalments, all three properties had been seized by the banks and were under auction proceedings.
Meanwhile, a separate case of fraud involving forged documents had already been registered against Maris Kinni at Goregaon Police Station, and he was arrested on January 16, 2024. After his release on bail, which the complainant allegedly facilitated by depositing ₹80 lakh through demand drafts in court, the accused still failed to complete the transaction.
Police said the accused deliberately concealed the fact that the properties were under bank seizure and due for auction. In total, the complainant paid ₹1.53 crore to the Kinni family, but neither received possession nor got her money back.
Upon realising the fraud, she lodged a complaint with Andheri Police, who registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against all five accused.
Maris Kinni was arrested three days ago and has been remanded to police custody by the court. Police officials stated that further action against the remaining accused will be taken soon as the investigation progresses.