Bollywood veteran Jaaved Jaaferi's wife Habiba Jaffrey lost Rs 16.24 crore in a sophisticated property fraud scheme involving forged documents and a fake BMC official — a case that reveals how criminals leveraged trust, fake paperwork, and government impersonation to defraud not just the Jaffrey family but multiple celebrities and influential figures.
The Mumbai Crime Branch's Property Cell arrested businessman Nishit Patel on May 13, 2026, in connection with this high-profile cheating case. The fraud centers on the "New Kamalkunj" commercial redevelopment project in Bandra West, where accused parties promised巨额 financial returns and speedy property possession using fabricated registration documents.
How the Fraud Unfolded: A Timeline of Deception
The Trigger: Fake BMC Notice (April 2024)
The scam began in April 2024 when Habiba Jaffrey received a fraudulent BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) notice regarding property tax for her安德丽 (Andheri) bungalow. This notice was not official — it was part of the criminals' initial setup to gain trust.
Through a contact named Ali Raza, Habiba was introduced to Mahesh Patil, who claimed to be the BMC G-South Ward Assistant Commissioner. This was the first critical deception: Patil was impersonating a government official.
The Investment Pitch
Mahesh Patil first assured Habiba of a tax settlement, then redirected her to invest in the "New Kamalkunj" commercial project in Bandra West.
Nishit Patel stepped in, claiming association with prominent builders and asserting that Rs 150 crore had already been invested in the project. He promised:
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Commercial space possession by December 2025
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A pre-lease agreement with a foreign bank
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High financial returns
Building False Trust
The accused executed multiple trust-building tactics
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The most shocking moment: The family received fake document copies but when original documents were requested, the accused claimed they were "with the builder". Nishit Patel later admitted to police he created forged documents.
The Money Trail: Rs 16.24 Crore Routed Through Multiple Companies
The Jaffrey family, trusting the fake promises, sold their flats and bungalows to invest the money. Police investigation revealed the funds were routed through multiple company accounts:
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The total defrauded amount of Rs 16.24 crore includes cash, foreign currency, and luxury watches.
Six Accused, Including Fake BMC Official
The FIR has been filed against six accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and use of forged documents:
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Nishit Patel was presented to court and sent to police custody until May 19, 2026.
Not Just the Jaffrey Family: Multiple Celebrities Defrauded
This wasn't an isolated case. Police investigation revealed that numerous other artists, relatives, and influential individuals were defrauded of crores in the name of investments.
Jaaved Jaffrey, Habiba Jaffrey, and Naved Jaffrey all contributed money to the scam. The criminals specifically targeted people with connections to prominent builders and government authorities, leveraging the film industry's trust-based networks.
पालिकेच्या नोटीसवरून घरात एन्ट्री अन् लुटले १८ कोटी; जावेद जाफरींच्या पत्नीची फसवणूक, ८० कोटींचा दुसरा घोटाळा उघड
— Lokmat (@lokmat) June 8, 2026
अभिनेता जावेद जाफरी यांच्या पत्नीला १८ कोटींचा गंडा; ८० कोटींच्या दुसऱ्या घोटाळ्याचेही कनेक्शन उघड#javedjaffrey #BMC #MumbaiPolice #CrimeNews…
Why This Case Matters: The Psychology of High-Value Fraud
Trust Exploitation
The criminals' strategy relied on gaining trust first through:
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Impersonating government officials (fake BMC notice)
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Creating false credibility with "builder connections"
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Using home visits and personal interactions
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Providing fabricated but visually convincing documents
What Happens Next: Investigation and Potential More Arrests
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the entire network. Key developments expected:
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More arrests: Police are investigating whether the same method was used to defraud other artists and influential people
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Asset recovery: Attempting to trace and recover funds routed through multiple company accounts
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Network mapping: Identifying all accomplices in the fraud ring
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Celebrity victim list: Compiling names of all defrauded individuals
The case has been registered at Khār Police Station under serious criminal sections.
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