Sub-registrar arrested in ₹10 crore land fraud involving look-alikes in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A woman sub-registrar has been arrested in connection with a ₹10 crore land fraud here on Tuesday, in which forged documents and look-alikes were used to illegally transfer property owned by a woman residing in the United States.

Police said the scheme involved meticulous planning, including creating forged IDs and employing individuals resembling the property owner. KS Lakshmi, a sub-registrar posted in Sasthamkotta, was apprehended by the Museum Police after extensive surveillance and evidence collection.

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The main accused, Manikandan, a local Congress leader, allegedly bribed the sub-registrar with ₹10 lakh and 10 mobile phones to execute the fraud. Documents, including fake identification cards and property registration papers, were processed under Lakshmi’s authorisation, some even outside the registrar’s office, to avoid suspicion.

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The fraud involved a 14.5-cent plot and house in Jawahar Nagar in the city, owned by a woman living in the US.

Vasantha, a 76-year-old local, was hired to impersonate Dora during the registration process. Another participant, Mary, acted as Dora’s adopted daughter. Meanwhile, another accused, identified as Anil Thambi, transferred the property to his father-in-law.

The fraud came to light when the property’s actual caretaker attempted to pay its taxes, only to discover that ownership had been illegally transferred.