The rural police have launched a manhunt for four persons who allegedly cheated about 25 flat buyers by promising to get them flats alloted from chief minister’s quota, police said today. Deputy Police Superintendent of Bhayander Prashant Desphande said the main accused one Santosh Shirke promised to give flats at between Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 5 lakh at places like Borivili to Andheri which was way below the market rate. Shirke who posed as a Deputy Collector working in the revenue department moved with the red beacon car to influence the buyers. After getting certain amount from buyers, he and his three aides including his wife, would give them allotment letters and fake orders purported to be issued by the Secretary of the concerned department from Mantralaya. The victims who realised that they were cheated approached the Thane court which directed Bhayander police to register an offence and take up the investigation. PTI
