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Why NRIs Are Rushing to Buy Farmhouse Plots Near PuneThe Rise of Plot Scams in Pune: How They Operate & How Buyers Can Stay Safe
Pune’s real estate landscape has grown rapidly over the past decade. Expanding IT hubs, growing infrastructure, and rising demand for second homes have made the city a magnet for investors. But alongside this growth, Pune has also witnessed an alarming increase in land-related fraud. These scams have become sophisticated, well-planned, and often involve networks of agents, document forgers, and impersonators.
Areas such as Mulshi, Wagholi, Baner, Tathawade, and Mohammadwadi have seen some of the biggest fraud cases in recent years. Understanding how these scams work is essential for anyone planning to invest in land around Pune.
- Forged Documents & Impersonation Scams
One of the most common forms of land fraud in Pune involves forged ownership records. Fraudsters prepare fake 7/12 extracts, falsified sale deeds, or bogus power of attorney papers. In many cases, they impersonate real landowners at registration offices using forged identity documents.
How This Scam Works
Scammers identify valuable land belonging to someone who lives outside Pune or abroad.
They recreate the owner’s documents using high-quality forgeries.
They use fake Aadhaar/PAN cards to pose as the owner.
The land is sold to an unsuspecting buyer at a seemingly legitimate rate.
These scams often go unnoticed until the real owner or vigilant neighbors discover that a fraudulent sale has taken place.
- Illegal Sale of Government or Restricted Land
Many plots in Pune are legally restricted — including government land, grazing land (gairan), forest-affected land, and land reserved for public projects. Fraudsters take advantage of complex land records and outdated documents to present such land as privately owned.
Typical Pattern
Scammers obtain older records where ownership details are unclear.
They manipulate or recreate entries to show private ownership.
They then sell the land cheaply, claiming fast appreciation.
Buyers later discover that the land cannot be transferred, developed, or registered, resulting in total financial loss.
- Misleading “Social Media Offers” for Farmhouse Plots
The rise of social media advertising has made it easy for fraudsters to attract buyers with glossy reels and unrealistically low prices. This trend is especially common in scenic areas like Mulshi and Velhe.
Typical Tactics
Extremely low per-guntha pricing to create urgency.
Attractive photos and drone shots of entirely different plots.
Charging booking amounts or “site visit fees” in advance.
Showing land that is either disputed, inaccessible, or not legally saleable.
Many buyers fall into the trap because of fear of missing out and attractive payment plans.
- Fraudulent “Pre-Launch” Plotting Projects
Several scamsters present large plotting layouts as “pre-launch opportunities” with promises of steep returns. These projects often lack basic approvals such as NA conversion, layout sanction, and RERA registration.
Red Flags
Heavy discounts for early bookings.
No RERA number displayed or ambiguity about approvals.
Vague timelines and incomplete paperwork.
Pressure to pay immediately to avail “pre-launch pricing.”
Such projects frequently stall, never begin, or get tangled in legal disputes.
- Multi-Sale of the Same Plot
This is a classic and still widespread scam in Pune. Fraudsters show the same plot to multiple buyers, take partial payments from all of them, and then disappear.
How This Scam Plays Out
A genuine-looking plot is shown.
Documents appear legit, often forged.
Booking amounts or part payments are collected from several buyers.
The scammer vanishes or the plot is later found to be disputed.
Victims often discover each other only when they try to register the property.
- Fraud Around Agricultural & NA Conversion Claims
Buyers looking for second homes or investment in green zones often get misled by promises of immediate NA (non-agriculture) conversion.
The Trap
Agricultural land is sold with the claim that NA conversion is “already applied for.”
Buyers are told they can start construction immediately.
Months or years later, buyers realise that NA conversion was never processed.
The land remains agricultural and cannot be used for the promised purpose.
This scam exploits the lack of understanding of Maharashtra land laws.
Why Pune Is Especially Vulnerable to Plot Scams
Several factors contribute to Pune’s high rate of land fraud:
High demand from IT professionals, NRIs, and investors.
Large areas of fragmented ownership make verification harder.
Complex revenue records and outdated documents.
Rapid expansion of city outskirts, where monitoring is weak.
Dependence on brokers, many of whom operate without regulation.
These conditions create the perfect environment for scammers to operate.
How Buyers Can Protect Themselves
Buying land requires more checks than buying a flat. Here are the essential safeguards every buyer in Pune should follow:
- Do a 30–35 Year Title Search
- Always Verify the Latest 7/12 Extract
The extract must match:
The seller’s name
Survey number
Land area
Type of land
Existing liabilities or reservations
Obtain it from the official revenue office or government portal.
- Check NA Status, Zoning, and Approvals
For plotting layouts:
Verify NA order
Layout sanction
RERA registration
Road access and DP reservations
A legally clean plot will always have complete documentation.
- Physically Inspect the Land
Visit the land with:
A local surveyor
A lawyer (if possible)
Boundary measurement tools
Confirm that the land shown matches the documents.
- Be Wary of Prices That Are Too Low
If the price seems too low for the location, it is likely that there is a problem. This is because scammers will often use low prices to lure people into buying plots that are priced well below market rate.
- Record All Payments
Make all payments through:
Cheques
Bank transfers
RTGS/NEFT
Do not pay in cash.
- Report All Suspicious Transactions Immediately
If you feel that something is not right:
Cancel the transaction
Consult a lawyer
Report the incident to the authorities
This will help you avoid losing more money.
Conclusion
The Pune real estate market is still a rapidly growing market, but buyers need to be very cautious. The plot scam today is a very complex and layered scam that involves fake documents and unethical networks. The only way to stay safe is to be aware and have all transactions checked by a lawyer.
When you are planning to buy a property or land, you may need a loan to help you with the payment. There are two types of loans you can choose from: a home loan and a land loan. While both can help you buy property, they are different in certain ways. Let’s explore these differences and similarities in simple terms.
Similarities Between Home Loan and Land Loan
- Approval Process: The way lenders check your eligibility is the same for both home loans and land loans. They will check your income, credit score, and other factors before they approve the loan.
- EMI Options: For both home and land loans, EMIS applicable. You can also apply for a co-applicant if needed, and the rules for this are similar for both types of loans.


Differences Between Home Loans and Land Loans
1.Purpose and Location:
- Home Loan: This loan is for buying a ready-to-move-in property, a property under construction, or one that you plan to build yourself.
- Land Loan : This one is for the purchase of a plot of land, which will be used strictly for residential purposes.
2.Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV):
Home Loan: You can get up to 75-90% of the value of the property. So, you pay just 10-25% in a down payment for the property.
Land Loan The maximum loan will be 75-80% of the land's value. Hence, one needs a bigger down payment, at least 20-25%.
3.Loan Tenure:
Home Loan: A home loan is paid out over a very long-time period, normally up to 30 years.
Land Loan: The repayment period of the land loan is up to 15 years, as the repayment period for the loan is quite short.
Tax benefits:
Home Loan: Tax benefit is available on the interest as well as principal repayment of a home loan.
Land Loan: No tax benefits can be availed with the land loan. But if you build a house on that land after getting some construction loan then tax benefits can be availed on that construction loan.
|
Aspect |
Home Loan |
Land Loan |
|
Purpose |
Ready property, under-construction, or self-built homes |
Plot of land for residential use |
|
Loan-to-Value Ratio |
75-90% |
75-80% |
|
Loan Tenure |
Up to 30 years |
Up to 15 years |
|
Tax Benefits |
Available on principal and interest payments |
Only available on construction loan |
|
Approval Process |
Same for both types of loans |
Same for both types of loans |
|
EMI Options |
Same for both types of loans |
Same for both types of loans |
Before you buy a piece of land in Maharashtra, it is pretty important that you ensure its title is clear. This process keeps away the legal issues. Here's how you can investigate a land title in simple steps.
Title Search
Go to the land registry in that area to obtain information about its history. Find the records that state the previous owners and loans or claims on the property by showing the 7/12 extract.
Abstract of Title
An abstract of the title would give you a summary of the legal history, reflecting the change in ownership and the issues relating to the property.
Property Deeds
Check the property deeds to ensure who owns the land today. Also, these records will outline any restrictions, such as who may use the land.
Measure the Land
Hire a surveyor to survey the land. This will help one to know what actually is the boundary of that land and where the neighbors are using parts of the land.
Search Court Records
Look up court records to see if the property is involved in any lawsuits. For example, there could be a question over who owns the land.


Tax Records
Verify property taxes and that there are not other issues, like unpaid taxes or tax liens that have not been discharged.
Local Laws
Look into local zoning laws that may be able to keep you from doing certain things on the land. Some areas will not allow building or any kind of development.
Talk to Neighbors
Talk to people living nearby to know the history of the land. They might be aware of problems like boundary disputes.
Hire Legal Help
Always take the services of an attorney or a land expert like Genuine Plots, who will guide you appropriately as you analyze this land.
By taking these measures, you will have all the information concerning the title of this property and will not have any issues concerning the title in the future.
7 Essential Documents You Need When Buying Commercial Property in India
It is quite thrilling to ride in commercial real estate, and as such, it's very important that you get the paperwork right so that the transaction goes through; below is a quick guide to the seven key documents you will need when purchasing commercial property in India:
Title Deed This is the golden ticket. What it does is confirm ownership by a seller and prove that the property is free from any form of lawful and legitimate disputes; thus, it forms a cornerstone of your purchase.
Sales Agreement It can be said to be that document acting as your roadmap. The sale agreement provides an indication of all the terms regarding the sale, that is, the price and time frame when the payment should be made, both parties getting to the same page.
Not missing the registration process: Registration of property should be done with the sub-registrar of the local authority. You will need to pay stamp duty and registration fees, of course!
Encumbrance Certificate: An encumbrance certificate is your safeguard for various reasons. An encumbrance certificate states that there are no legal liabilities or outstanding dues against the property.

No Objection Certificates (NOCs): Depending upon the type of property, you would need a set of diversified NOCs from local authorities. NOCs merely confirm that there are no legal matters or objections towards the property.
Building Approval Plan: You would be planning any kind of renovation. Well, if that's indeed the case, you will require a building approval plan from the local municipalities to ascertain that the modifications done are within the zoning laws and regulations.
Tax Receipts: Let Your Records Keep Tidy! Up-to-date property tax receipts are important documentation to ensure that there are no pending dues in relation to the property and that it is free from hassles.
Incorporation of such important papers in your purchase will make the transaction smooth as well as a prudent investor. To ascertain that the purchase has been successful, you can employ real estate experts or the legal counsel of Genuine Plots to guide you through the papers.
When it comes to property transactions, several factors need to be considered; each comes with specific rules and paperwork. Here's a simple guide to help you understand them:
Types of Property Transactions
Sale Deed
A sale deed is a document that records a property's ownership.It proves the buyer owns the property and has legal rights to it. The property should be free from legal disputes or issues.
Gift Deed
A gift deed transfers property ownership as a gift, with no money involved. The recipient becomes the owner, and the giver gives up all rights to the property. The giver must own the property and must give it voluntarily, without pressure.
Mortgage Deed
It is used when a property is provided as security for a loan. The borrower must own the property and agree to the mortgage terms.

Rights and Responsibilities of Buyers and Sellers
Buyers
Rights: Buyers have the right to know the property details, which include clear titles and accurate condition details. They also have the right to know the legal status of the property and its registration under their name.
Responsibilities: The buyers are responsible for verifying the seller's ownership and legal status of the property.
Sellers
Rights:
Sellers are entitled to receive the agreed payment for the property and can expect the buyer to meet their responsibilities as outlined in the sale deed.
Responsibilities
Sellers are responsible for providing accurate information about the property, including disclosing any encumbrances, ensuring a clear title, and coordinating with buyers on registration requirements.
For more insights and updates, follow us to stay informed and ahead in your property journey.
How to Get an Encumbrance Certificate (EC) in Maharashtra: A Simple Guide
If you need an Encumbrance Certificate (EC) for a property in Maharashtra, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you:
Steps to Get an EC in Maharashtra
- Visit the Sub Registrar's Office:
- Go to your local Sub Registrar's office. This is where you will apply for the EC.
- Get the Application Form:
- Ask for Form 22, which is the application form for the EC. You can get this form at the Sub Registrar office.
- Fill Out the Form:
- Complete the form with all the required details about the property and yourself.
- Submit the Form:
- Submit the filled form along with:
- Non-judicial stamp paper
- Required documents
- The reason for needing the EC
- Pay the Fees:
- Pay the fees for the EC as mentioned at the time of submission. The fee depends on where you apply.
- Receive an Acknowledgement Receipt:
- After submission, you will get an acknowledgment receipt with an ID number. Keep this receipt safe as it is proof of your application.


Documents You Need
To apply for an EC, you will need the following documents:
- Proof of your residence
- Identity cards like Aadhaar, PAN card, and ration card
- Address and details of the property
- Copy of the sales deed (any deed related to the land, whether recent or old)
- Purpose of the EC request
- Period for which you need the EC
- Copy of the power of attorney if someone else is applying on your behalf
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for an EC in Maharashtra, you should meet these conditions:
- You must own the land or property for which you are applying.
- If someone else is applying on your behalf, they must hold a valid power of attorney.
Important Notes
- Processing Time: The EC usually takes between 15 to 30 days to be issued after you apply.
- Language: The EC is issued in the regional language. If you need it in English, there will be an extra fee for translation.
You can obtain your Encumbrance Certificate easily by following these steps