84 duped in ‘govt housing’ scam: Accused collected Rs 1 lakh each promising 2BHK houses

Hyderabad: The Jeedimetla Police have arrested a man for allegedly cheating at least 84 people by collecting money from them under the pretext of securing double-bedroom houses through a government housing scheme.

Accused collected Rs 1 lakh each

According to police, Bodimi Shetty Haribabu, who worked as an assistant at the Quthbullapur MLA Camp Office, collected around Rs 1 lakh from each person.

The scam came to light when Thailam Ramesh, president of Giri Nagar, Jeedimetla, lodged a complaint stating that Haribabu had collected Rs 1 lakh from him promising to get him a double-bedroom house but failed to keep his word and did not return the money.

Funds used to build own house

The complainant further alleged that Haribabu cheated at least 83 others in a similar manner and with the money collected from the victims, constructed a house at Reddy Nagar Colony, Quthbullapur, where he is currently residing.

Following the complaint, a case was registered at Jeedimetla Police Station on July 14.

During the investigation, statements of eight victims were recorded and video evidence was collected, including footage showing one victim handing over cash to Haribabu.

On Wednesday, police apprehended Haribabu and seized a mobile phone used in the commission of the crime. He was produced before the court for judicial remand.

Police said the investigation is ongoing to identify all victims and to ascertain the total amount collected in the scam.