The District Crime Branch in Ramanathapuram busted a major land‑fraud scheme involving a forged foreign Power of Attorney, leading to the arrest of four suspects. The scam targeted an 80‑cent plot owned by Haja Banu and used falsified documents to transfer ownership illegally.

  • 80‑cent prime land sold using a forged Malaysian PoA
  • Four main conspirators, led by Jafer Ali
  • Police seized the fake PoA and related evidence

How the Scam Operated

The District Crime Branch (DCB) in Ramanathapuram filed a case on August 20, 2026 after a complaint by Haja Banu, whose 80‑cent plot in the Sakkarakottai area was illegally transferred. In 2021, alleged mastermind Jafer Ali approached Banu expressing interest in buying the land. When Banu demanded full payment up front, Ali deceptively obtained a copy of her passport under the guise of drafting an agreement deed.

Ali then colluded with Maheswaran (A4), a business partner in Banu’s Malaysian hotel venture. On December 27, 2021, Maheswaran fabricated a fake Power of Attorney in Ali’s name, falsely indicating that the document was executed abroad in Malaysia. Armed with this forged PoA, the conspirators executed fraudulent sale deeds, first transferring 8.18 cents to Jesina Begum on January 13, 2022, and later the remaining 71.82 cents to Senthilkumar (A3) on June 28, 2025.

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Roles of the Accused

Investigators identified four suspects: Jafer Ali (A1) of Velipattinam, brothers Chandrakumar (A2) and Senthilkumar (A3) of Peykarumbu, and Maheswaran alias Palanikumar (A4) of Kadukavalkaranvalasai. While A1 and A4 engineered the document forgery, A2 and A3 knowingly purchased the parcels, fully aware that the deeds were fraudulent.

All four have been remanded in judicial custody. The DCB seized the forged Malaysian PoA along with other incriminating materials, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that forged foreign Power of Attorney documents are increasingly used to bypass local land‑ownership checks, putting ordinary citizens at risk of losing ancestral property. The case underscores the need for stricter verification mechanisms and public awareness.

"Forged PoAs that appear to be executed abroad can easily deceive buyers and officials; stringent verification is essential," says legal analyst Ravi Shankar.

Historical Background

India has long grappled with real‑estate fraud, especially when foreign‑issued documents are treated as inherently trustworthy. Over the past two decades, numerous cases have involved the theft of passports and PAN cards to create counterfeit PoAs, facilitating illegal land transfers. Several state governments have proposed tighter document‑authentication protocols to curb such abuses.

Did You Know?: Approximately 10,000 real‑estate fraud cases are reported annually in India, with over half involving forged documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How can I verify the authenticity of a Power of Attorney?

A: Check for proper notarization, verify the issuing authority, and confirm the document’s registration with the local sub‑registrar. Foreign‑issued PoAs should be cross‑checked with the relevant embassy or consulate.

Q2: What steps should I take if I suspect a fraudulent property transaction?

A: Immediately file a complaint with the local police, seek legal counsel, and request a freeze on the property’s title at the land records office.