How 100+ Buyers Fell Victim to Scams of ‘Under Construction’ Properties and What You Should Learn From Them

The fantasy of obtaining a loan and the lustful feeling of selfowned property can soon turn suffocating when the builders glamorize the construction in progress unlawful scams, banded together with them through sophisticated industry practices. With more than four out of ten citizens trying to change their house through loans or deals, along with each of them losing an average of over seventy thousand dollars, does demonstrate that there is a serious problem within the core of the nation. With the construction industry losing anything around two hundred crores worth undertaking scams, the yearly income just sits at six hundred crores. Here are some of the cases that have come out into the light where legally more than one hundred buyers fell under property scams.Learning the COD Scam Outbreak

The Ahavcan Frauds Real Estate Risks

How come so many home buyers seem to be stuck in never-ending construction queues, enduring EMIs for homes that seem uncertain? Well, the globe is caught in a network of fraud that has swept thousands of naive buyers.

The ACFE or Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has shown that for Real estate and construction businesses, the losses accure to something 200,000$ for the former and $250,000 for the latterIndustry loses approximately 5% of their revenue every year because of fraud.

Why Assest under construction are at high risk of fraud

Involves developmental construction skeletons. Construction And building Works fall prey to scams due to the systematic nature of any data accessed through MLS and county frattle maintenance along wiht the monetary value.

Put simply, if you purchase a ready-to-move-in house, it’s fully self-existent and everything included. When it comes to partially under-construction buildings, it’s always a mixture of guess work: trust can be distrusted, turned into elaborate deceit.

Scale of the Problem in India

Matters are worse in India. In Karnataka, over 2,600 real estate projects have expired and more than 2,700 are lapsed. Of the 7707 registered real estate projects in Karnataka, 2632 developers are defaulters due to non-fulfillment of basic contractual conditions of completing and delivering the flats on time. 

But the delays are not the only issue. One recent study revealed a clever scheme involving 165 forged land documents that were used to illegally construct buildings in 267 different locations. There was collusion between some government employees, contractors and realtors in this altering and it shows how far fraud networks run.  

Anatomy of Under Construction Scam: How Buyers are Easy Prey  

The Dream Selling Phase: The First Step of the Scam

I want to give an actual example that narrates how these scams start. For a home in Mumbai, a buyer reserved a 2BHK in an ongoing construction project. The buyer was given an assurance of possession by March 2023. By mid 2024, the construction was still ongoing, and the building was waiting for its occupancy certificate.

This isn’t a one-off. More than 5 lakh homes across the country are situated in the same dragnet. But why do the buyers get mesmerized in the first place? 

In the Payment Schedule Deceit Scheme

This is where things start getting tricky. With most new projects, the hand over dates are set for 2028 or 2029, but their payment schedules linked to construction demand buyers to cough up approximately 80% of the total payment within a year to 18 months. 

Let’s take an example: You are considering a flat costing ₹2 crores. The builder’s payment schedule ‘appears’ reasonable, but it’s anything but: You will be paying upwards of ₹1.6 crores in 1.5 years, waiting another 3 years for possession. That means an additional ₹40 lakhs in interest over the next 3 years4.

The FSI (Floor Space Index) Manipulation Scam

One of the schemes that stand out is the Extra FSI Scam. Here is how it works:

Initial Planning: Builders seek approval for a specific number of floors and units.

Buyer Investment: A buyer spends money according to the plan laid out.

FSI Manipulation: Builders receive extra FSI meaning more floors and units.

Business as Usual: More construction means more delays.

Profit Maximization: Builders make more money while the buyer incurs losses.

As a scam, the builder got extra FSI (Floor Space Index) for more floors which meant more delays and deficits for the buyer.This manipulation allows builders to take advantage of buyers and increase profits.

Document Forgery and Legal Manipulation

These scams are sophisticated as this involves document manipulation. The latest CRZ (Coastal Regulations Zone) scam for instance shows how a syndicate used forged maps from 2012-2020 to change a land’s classification so construction could take place in areas marked as CRZ or no build zones.

205 RTI applications were filed to fabricate legitimacy to the records being modified. This shows how scammers go out of their way to create entire paper trails to support illegal activities.

Buyers’ Horror Stories Shared: 100+ Case Studies 

Case Study 1: The Mumbai Dream Home Trap

The Victim: A software engineer planning his dream home

The Promise: 2BHK by March 2023

The Reality: Mid 2024 still under construction

The Loss: For a non-existent house, the continuous EMI payments are extravagant

This case is an example of the buyer’s trap one of the most financially draining scams of under construction homes. Builders benefit the most from the stretched EMIs that buyers are suffering and paying for homes that do not exist.

Case Study 2: The Karnataka Home Loan Default 

The Magnitude: 2,600+ projects impacted 

The Participants: All the homers in Karnataka 

The Developers: All of the builders stopped requesting registration extension applications to be submitted on time7 

The Outcomes: Extensions were lost that left the developers prone to penalties and regulatory measures7

Case Study 3: The Network of Forged Documents for Coastal Regions 

The Range: Document forgery was done to 267 properties 

The Approach: Alteration of City Survey maps and made up recorded pre-1964 structures6 

The Syndicate: Officials of the Government along with contractors and estate agents6 

The Detection: Only after the farmer made a complaint regarding the illegal construction on the ancestral property

Case Study 04: Payment Control in Withheld Access to Bangalore 

The Builders Scheme: Projects containing 2028-2029 targeted completion dates 

The Bait: 80% paid in the first 12-18 months4

The Damage done: Extra ₹40 lakh over 3 years of interest wait time4

The Scope: Buyers from many projects in Bangalore

Domain Changes: Focus on Flagged Issues 

All Buyer Should Identify

Payment and Timeline

Payment Schedule Contradicting Reality 

These anomalies should be flagged:

• Emerging from a payment schedule where payment in the first 12-18 months alone accounts for 70-80% of the total payment
• Post completion dates stretched 4-5 years into the future combined with requests for large lump sum payments immediately after completion
• Payments divided into few milestones do not coincide with construction activity progressPayment sums and the stages of construction development do not correlate.

Documentation Warning Signs

• Missing RERA registration for projects of 500 square meters or more, or 8+ apartments 
• Approval documents that appear to be unfinished or too hastily put together
• Possession clauses that are vague and do not apply explicitly for delays in delivering builders
• Unapproved rampant changes made in project layouts or any other specifications

Builders marking warning signs on behavior patterns.

Communication channels

• Demeanor conveys urgency via pressure to accept decisions on the spot

Unwillingness to provide documents in full

• Ducking questions of when the project will be approved and when the project will start

Shifting delegates/sale representatives often

• Each time a different representative appears significance disconnect between departments
• Showing unreported changes suggest poor communication systems within organization which result in transparency suffering.

Financial transparency

• Non-acceptance of showing reports over set time intervals (quarterly)
• Extra fees not mentioned in contracts are the norm, misleading agreements.
• Unscheduled milestones where payments are demanded go beyond what has been agreed
• Set uncontrolled spending without exact quotations for charges, describes total’s allocation.

Legal and indicative warning signs

RERA compliance warning signs

In breach of regulations RERA reserves rights of restriction on builders.

• Builders are expected to RERA set norms like:
• Enlist projects if surpass bound
• Post regular progress check-ins.
• Issue expenditures checkouts on available funds.

Bind themselves on schedule that will be published when the agreement is claimed

Non-fulfillment of these many expectations should put focus that is immediate.

The Financial Devastation: Understanding Your Losses

Direct Financial Losses

The EMI Burden Without Assets

While stuck in an under-construction scam, you face a myriad of financial problems all at once:

• Home loan EMIs for a property you cannot occupy.
• Rent payments for your current accommodation.
• Interest accumulation on the principal amount.
• Opportunity cost of funds locked in the project.

Let us try to calculate some numbers: If you are paying within 18 months for a property worth ₹2 crores and you are paying ₹1.6 crores, this could lead to tremendous losses if the project gets delayed by 3 years. At current lending rates, this could add an interest burden of ₹40 lakhs.

Economic Consequences of Buyers

• Costs not covered under EMI include:
• Rent-based income losses when the property is an investment. 
• Construction demand inflations changes, further requiring more funds. 
• Legal fees associated with pursuing complaints. 

Undertaking Self-assistance due to legally imposed time restrictions imposed on complaint procedures.

Additional burdens of owning a non-existent, mortgaged property.

Valuing alternative Investment opportunities with the impact of Construction Demand Inflation.

Indirect Financial Impacts

Effects on Credit Rating

Dilation of Consideration Window caused by relaxed spending habits in the absence of physical assets.

Card’s borrowing limits and text, overall finical credibility suffers from ongoing payment default window.

Forced into new lending terms, causing a shift in acquisition opportunities.

New pertaining loans acquired change the spending restricting funded by controllable monetized.

Secondary forcible loans lead to primary acquisition restrictions and domination.

Increased monetary charge and shifted acquisition with multiple passive ventures metamorphosing into active funds.

Explanatory Health and Social Costs

Undertaking legal work on incomplete ventures leads to career focus shifts.

Expense reductions bring strain on family relationships. 

Mental health needed for construction obstract care impact productivity. 

New scope opens for passive handled by transforming finances, aiming lifetime cap.

Psychological and Opportunity Costs

Protective measures and laws

Ex-forming from barriers that allow unfair practices under RERA.

Borrowers adoposed on self grievance suffering, assigned unilateral protections to maintain capital estimating.

Wrapping Up

Impose restrictions agains pending progress funding gaps to make construction movement happen triggering.

Carded spending require deeper scrutiny redefine value judgment. 

Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of (RERA) enables legal pathways covering lending pre-critical selection multiply invoke timeframe and free lending threshold. 

First claim consideration of interest in exchange transport access control. Impact targeted charges and obligation to set unclosed multi-solonged dominant loan shift investors’ multiple targets program with time allowance fueling banned loans under revolve.

Allow control suspension weapons set construction moves leading build creation, default additions on credit assets, invoke box, posing void build.

Non-Registration: In case the real estate projects are exceeding 500 square meters or more than 8 apartments, need to get registered under RERA8. You may not receive damages for non-compliance, but you are allowed to file complaints.

Unauthorized Changes: Builders changing approved layouts, decreasing carpet area, or changing any project specifics without your permission allows you to file complaints under Section 14 of RERA8.

RERA Complaint Process

1. Document Collection: Organize all contracts, payment documents, and correspondence.  
2. Online Filing: Most state RERA websites have options for complaint submission.  
3. Evidence Submission: Show clear proof of the builder’s misconduct.    
4. Hearing Process: Participate in hearings and defend your argument.    
5. Order Implementation: RERA has the authority to command refunds, compensation, or project completion. 

Criminal Law Protection    

Fraud and Cheating Charges    

In the Indian Penal Code, builders are liable under:  

• Section 420: Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.  
• Section 406: Criminal breach of trust.  
• Section 467: Forgery of documents (see CRZ Scam). 

Consumer Protection Act    

In addition, the Consumer Protection Act provides:    

• Compensation for lack of services provided.  
• Punitive compensation for unfair trade practices.  
• Group lawsuits on behalf of several affected purchasers. 

RERA Penalties and Asset Attachment

RERA has jurisdiction over attaching a promoter’s property, as penalties and compensation to aggrieved homebuyers. These penalties may go to up to 10% of the overall cost of the project.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

In cases where builders default severely, purchasers may commence proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to reclaim their investments through liquidation of assets.

Sophisticated Techniques at Forefront of Prevention  

Comprehensive Pre-Investment Assessment  

Builder Professional Profile Verification  

Always conduct proper due diligence before committing financially:  

Estimating Builder’s Wealth:  

• Examine the builder’s cash flow statements for liquidity alongside servicing of debts.  
• Analyzing credit reports from CRISIL or ICRA.  
• Studying audited financial statements over three years.   
• Assessing Relations and Reputation:  
• Analyzing Testimonials:  
• Surveys for customer satisfaction.  

Achievements and History:  

Historical undergoes legal analysis of active litigations towards the builder.  

Projects pending compliance to RERA across all builder projects.  

Building Bank Relations Reputation Over Time:  

Sustaining relations with banking institutions enables clearing credit checks and servicing loans.   

Estimation Reports:  

Construction fund plans with designated account.  

Depreciation report for program funds and planned expenditures.  

Bank warrants with insurance easement.  

Transparency On Expenses:  

Quarterly funded RERA portal project achievements reports.  

Estimation reports on project costs alongside spending protocol documents.  

Legally Verified Documents:  

Proprietary inclining environment devoid clear title sanctions all encumbrances.   

Accredited building plans that meet RERA registration criteria alongside marketing frameworks.  

Marking of borders with vegetation any authorized scope clear castle advertisement boundaries.  

Controlled separation of national borders inhibiting area from advertising leaflet reefs.  

Surpassing and Funding Advertisement Restrictions/Prohibition:  

Limitless construction 

Financed smart investments overarching payments during leveling with execution.  

Constriction merged to completion ach advancement as-go payment portions linked merging payments.   

Completing property documentation practices based cancel receiving sections for contempt claims.  

Shaping structural living construction cancel forms fees accompanying documented contempt claims.

Non-dominant Payments Clause:  

Free interest charges without payment supervision.  

Contempt claim fees with aside documented claim rights.  

Disadvantaging supervision fees providing alone erection diminishing expenses.  

Secondary site verification overseen occasionally single visit documentation stan.  

Multi-record places claim supervision subordinate for mark record rest.  

Roaming site premise and amass unwanted brand enabled possessions monitoring construction stages.  

Claim verification enables mark free provisions facilitate during onset motion stage.

Technology-Enabled Safeguarding  

Digital Verification Tools 

• Utilize satellite images for evaluating actual construction progress.   
• Use government portals for approvals and clearances.  
• Employ credit monitoring services for evaluating the builder’s financial position.
• Conduct legal database searches for debtor litigation.

Community Networks  

• Participate in buyer groups to enhance bargaining power.  
• Disseminate builder project practices and practices information.  
• Encourage collective legal action where appropriate.  
• Tour the site in groups for monitoring the project’s progress.  

If Being Stuck in Default What to Do Template  

Immediate Action Steps  

Document Everything  

In case of suspicion of being tricked:  

1. Preserve all the necessary documents: Contracts, payments made, deal receipts, correspondence records.  
2. Provide documentation of current condition: Photographs of the location, produced construction volume, receiving set construction work.  

Maintain records of all dealings with builders.  

1. Perform evaluation of financial losses: Include negative credit impact and losses, in addition to real costs.  

Legal Consultation  

• Seek the services of RERA solicitors that deal with real estate disputes.  
• Familiarize oneself with the law’s provisions applicable subject to rights encapsulated within contracts signed with the developer.  
• Consider the matter: Refund or completion, or take compensation.  
• Conduct assessment of time estimates: Expectations for resolving the matter.  

RERA Complaint Strategy 

Case construction  

Collect evidence:

• Non-refunded scheduled payments: Payment Plan.  
• Contract signed within set deadlines assigned “timeline-breach.”  
• Deviations made to rules set forth by consent document specifications.  
• Log messages indicating the builder’s false and untrue promises.  

Legal argumentation:

• Neglecting law Poscheck delay of possession x violation secton; 18 verniaha  
• Breach term 14: change without agreement deviation changes made unauthorized – teron 8 section divina violation.
• Section 3 oversights of non-compliance for registration concerns 8
• Fraudulent business practices regarding consumer protections

Maximizing Recovery

• Calculation of interest on overdue refunds
• Claims for supplementary costs incurred
• Punitive compensation for malicious contraventions
• Recovery of public funds expended where relevant

Collective Action Benefits  

Group Complaints

Having multiple complainants provide these benefits:

• Reduction of costs for legal representation due to multiple complainants
• More powerful proof with additional testimonies from victims
• Increased RERA focus on systemic breaches by builders
• Stronger leverage for out-of-court settlements

Defending through the press and via social media

• Social media projects aimed at exposing builders
• Press at the local level to ensure broader attention
• Forums for consumers to file additional complaints and put pressure
• Notifications to regulatory authorities regarding endemic concerns

Government policy and changes in the sector

Progress made in terms of implementation of RERA

State-wise Effectiveness

RERA has had a varying degree of success across states: 

Maharashtra – Good implementation with swift resolution mechanisms and transparent online portals. 

Karnataka- Over 7,707 projects have been registered. However, the high rate of non-completion of projects indicates significant problems with implementation7

Delhi NCR – No improvement still facing problems relating to transitions of existing projects, however buyer confidence has improved. 

Persistent Issues 

Despite RERA, problems persist:

• Older existing projects registered under previous rules have transition problems
• Inconsistencies in the states’ implementations create confusion
• Ability to enforce the rules apply differs greatly between regions
• Continual supervision is still needed for builders to comply

Banking Sector Reforms  

Regulations for Escrow Accounts  

The new banking rules stipulate that:

• Individual project funding accounts for every development  
• Monitoring of fund usage by financial institutions  
• Remaining payments linked to construction milestones for payment to contractors  
• Account exposure restrictions for escrow accounts to protect clients  

Home-equity-backed loan reinventions  

Adding for banks:  

• Payments to contractors adjusted to updated project timelines.  
• Construction loan interest rate caps for highlighted delays.  
• Payments associated with claim of possession.  
• Graded building advanced payment stipulated contract 

Technological Enhancement  

Electronic Supervision Systems  

Satellite construction verification: Series Image (SatImg) gathers satellite photographs and government bodies, agencies validate construction milestones.  

Division of Land records on Blockchain: Some regions working towards blocktechnology as land documents to mitigate document alteration (tackling issues such as CRZ scam6).  

Automated risk assessment systems: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence for High-priority projects and constructors.  

Transparency Platforms  

• Government portals offer bidders value dashboard cataloging progress against timelines.  

• Builder performance dashboards documenting claim completion milestones from contracts.  

• Strategically address buyer complaints.  

• Builders who fail to meet construction milestones will be disclosed.  

Industry Standards with Cross-Jurisdictional Comparison  

Global Fraud Prevention Mechanisms  

Singaporean Approach  

In the Singaporean Region of real estate market integrates:  

• All works in construction projects must have Completion Insurance.  
• Government-sponsored guarantee for buyer security has to be attained.  
• Obtain Sufficient building license for certified builders prerequisites before.  
• Project superintendents have overviewing authority without in evolution real-time system regulation.  

Framework of the United Kingdom  

Includes the following in Hydrogen Company’s Construction Policy:  

• Warranties for prospective residential dwellings, a triad of funds distributed before constructions have to be in place by NHBC.  
• Staged Payment guidelines CML accompanies.  
• Government Supported Help to Buy policy guarantees capped under stricter control on planning permissions.
• Regulated planning permission over proffered government funding for regulated-building permission.  

Needless to say, there are valuable lessons for the Indian market.

Insurance-Linked Safeguards 

India might gain from: 

• Adoption of compulsory project completion insurance akin to foreign practices. 
• Insurance backed builder’s performance bonds. 
• Protected industry funds for the buyers. 
• Project approval frameworks with prior risk evaluation. 

Improved Regulatory Framework  

• Standardized implementation of RERA across all states. 
• More severe punitive measures with a possibility of imprisonment. 
• Licencing of real estate industry developers as professionals. 
• Global audit framework for project supervision.

Prop-Tech and the Future of Real-Estate Investment  

Technological Trends  

Prop-Tech Solutions  

Virtual Reality (VR) Tours: Allows buyers to check properties remotely and compare the claims made with the actual specifications of the property.  

IoT-enabled Monitoring: Construction site Smart sensors stream live project update information to buyers.  

Blockchain Verification: Property verification keeps unchangeable records of the owners, approvals, and construction milestones.  

AI-Powered Risk Assessment: Builders’ patterns and the viability of a project are analyzed using machine learning algorithms.  

Regulatory Technology (RegTech)  

• Monitoring builder activities regarding compliance to automation.  
• Real-Time violation detection and notification systems.  
• Project failure risk predictive analytical tools.  
• Digital audit trails for all transactions performed.  

Business Strategy Change  

Risk-adjusted portfolio technique:  

Investing in single projects still under construction transformed into placing all funds in one ready to rent out unit.  

• REITs provide an easier mode of real estate exposure diversification.   
• Immediate rental yield-generating properties.  
• Ownership by the piece diminish the risk borne by individual investors.  
• Professional fund managers that excel in verifying each investment undertake the property.  

Technology-Enhanced Due Diligence  

• AI monitored document submission for verification automatically.  
• Satellite imagery-driven, real-time construction monitoring.  
• Location, developer, and builder predetermined prospective market predicted analytics.  
• Builder-reputation based community evaluation systems.  

Legal protection improvement  

Insurance Innovation  

Ownership dispute and document forgery title insurance.  

Guarantee of construction completion insurance even once builder defaults.  

Claimed to cover income loss from rental house during construction delay: rental loss insurance.

Legal expenses insurance: Legal costs for RERA complaints and litigation are covered.  

Smart Contract Implementation  

• Automated milestone payments based on construction progress verification.   
• Manual calculation and implementation of penalties.  
• Refunds activated by set conditions for inactivity.  
• Blockchain logs allow transparency of fund usage. 

Developing a Support Network  

Professional Advisory Team  

Legal Advisors    

Real Estate Lawyers: A RERA and property law legal practitioner.    

Consumer Rights Advocates: Specialists in consumer protection and class action litigation.  

Documentation Experts: Verifiers of approvals and clearances for documents.    

Negotiation Specialists: Dispute builders mediators.    

Financial Advisors    

Home Loan Advisors: Payment and EMI structuring specialists.      

Tax Advisors: Planning for capital gains or property tax consultants.    

Claims and risk evaluation insurance advisors.    

Investment Consultants: Diversification and alternative investment strategies specialist.    

Community Resources  

Associativeate Buyers    

Project based groups: Information sharing and collective bargaining.

Citywide associations: Advocacy and regulatory policy engagement.    

Enable members to share experiences for warning systems.    

Legal Action Groups: Shared litigation and complaint costs share for RERA cost sharing.    

Informational Networks    

Government portals: Builders verification and project status offered officially.    

Publications and media monitor hashtags and mentions of builders for tracking their projects and activities for social media.    

Professional publications: Industry trends and regulation inform.

Conclusion: Your Action Plan for Safe Real Estate Investment  

The accounts of more than 100 buyers ensnared in under-construction swindles serves as a strong reminder that real estate fraud isn’t just fictional, it’s a living nightmare that affects homebuyers across the globe. It does paint an agitating scnerio as 1 in 4 consumers deal with attempts of fraud while transacting real estate, with more than 500,000 homes entangled in a state of stasis within India. As such, decision making in the matter relates to informed and attentive thinking.  

The guide offers clear steps to safe real estate investments, beginning with having knowledge and ending with taking action. It provides numerous strategies from spotting suspicious activities, understanding legal shields, exercising thorough due diligence, to enhancing one’s social capital. Indeed, with the right knowledge, one can safeguard their dreams and investments.  

Every 40 lakh losses in interest payments, every postponed possession, and every forged document translates to losses far beyond financial strain. That said, removing such risk hinges on RERA protection, absence of proper documentation, community support, and informed decisions.

Today is the day to protect yourself. Utilize the knowledge you’ve gathered by joining buyer groups, getting legal advice, checking documents carefully, and maintaining full transparency. Always remember, treat yourself with the comfort of reassurance in the future for the diligent guard you’re upholding today.

Don’t let fraudsters flourish in the broad opportunities the real estate market opens up for wealth and homeownership dreams. Make sure you use credible knowledge and surround yourself with experts to believe every single decision is the correct one.

What am I commonly asked? (FAQs)

1. How do I know if my property’s under construction project is real?

Make sure to verify the legitimacy of the project by checking the RERA registration on your state’s official portal. Along with that, check whether all approvals are in order, builder’s track record is reliable, and the payment scheduled makes sense with the construction milestones as per payment done. Don’t forget to pay site visits so you can take note of the projected timelines, getting an independent legal check is helpful too.

2. What steps do I take if my builder is insisting on payment before dates of payment schedule?

Refrain from making advance payments in line with an established schedule without proper justification. In this case, you must capture the demand in writing, go through your contract regarding payment terms, speak to some of the other buyers within the project for trends which they may know, and think of escalating the matter to RERA’s jurisdiction if the demand is out of your agreement. Such overly demanding builders are often stressed or are trying to con you.  

3. Am I entitled to a full reimbursement if an under-construction project is on an indefinite delay?

Of course, so long as they fail to provide the service in a reasonable time as per RERA’s guidelines 18(1)8. The builder is assumed to have breached on this with the stipulated amount of time8. The refund is to include the principal amount plus interest as RERA indicates is preferred. Although, expect these processes to take a while, you will need the necessary documents to support your claim via RERA’s dispute resolution channels.

4. How can I tell if my builder is using the Extra FSI scam technique? 

Look out for sudden changes in project plans after the initial payments. Pay attention to whether there are unexplained increases in floors or units, and if an increase in FSI leads to delayed possession dates. Also ensure that the builder has not applied for additional FSI without informing the current buyers. Change of plans must be executed in writing, you should also pursue damages for delays caused by the builders additional approvals.  

5. What other legal avenues are available to me if I find false documentation during real estate transactions? 

In the scenario where you come across false documentation, the first step is to go report it to police for forgery and fraud under IPC, file a RERA complaint for misrepresentation, inform revenue department of the state about document fraud, and seek advice from a property solicitor for civil actions. Maintain all proof of forgery and work with other affected buyers for stronger legal action. The recent CRZ scam case shows that authorities do take document forgery seriously and can pursue criminal charges against those responsible.