Fake journalist arrested in Navi Mumbai ₹19 lakh housing fraud case; multiple criminal cases registered against him

Mumbai The Navi Mumbai Police have arrested a man who allegedly posed as a journalist on social media and cheated people of ₹19 lakh by promising them houses at discounted rates in Ulwe. The accused, identified as Shailendra Dev Prakash Dwivedi, was also wanted in connection with several criminal cases registered across Maharashtra, police said.

According to police records, Dwivedi has been named in multiple FIRs registered across Maharashtra since 2023. These include cases at Bhiwandi Taluka (FIR No.

721/2023), Ganeshpuri (175/2023), NRI Sagari (257/2026 and 131/2026), Kalwa (667/2025), Rabale MIDC (178/2025), Ulwe (393/2026) and Nerul police stations (597/2023 and 588/2026). The cases involve allegations of murder, attempted murder, extortion, offences under the Arms Act, gutkha-related violations and inciting communal sentiments.