Over 212 booked for defrauding investors
PHOTO: FILE
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) ushered in the new year by taking notice of illegal constructions in the garrison city and booked 212 individuals for defrauding citizens.
The civic agency served legal notices on 548 owners of illegal housing schemes.
Authorities also imposed fines on 218 individuals. During the drive, more than 183 offices were sealed, 195 gates were demolished and 129 complaints were sent to the Federal Investigating Agency’s cybercrime wing.
RDA has reiterated that operations will continue against illegal housing societies that are robbing people, investors and overseas Pakistanis in the name of plots and investments.
Moreover, Rawalpindi deputy commissioner and city police officer monitored the operation against illegal housing societies. The operation is being conducted to prevent illegal housing fraud. Strict action will be taken against those who occupy people's lands at gun point.
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The operation against illegal schemes includes registration of complaints against suspected individuals in the cybercrime wing as well as the demolition of the societies’ offices.
Additionally, the RDA has informed the public to avoid investing in illegal housing society schemes and to check the RDA website before investing. Investors have been informed to not invest in housing schemes until they have been issued an NOC by RDA.
Action has been taken against hundreds of illegal schemes, including Blue World City, Abdullah City, Avalon City, Faisal Town Phase-2, Rodan Enclave, Capital Valley, and Shaheen Garden among others.
Of those involved in illegal activities, nine are in police custody. Moreover, there are 72 cases pending in the sessions courts and 24 cases pending in the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench.
The RDA has so far managed to recover Rs52.11 million from fraudsters.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2024.