White-Collar Crimes In The Age Of Proptech: The Role Of Digital Platforms In Facilitating Real Estate Frauds
- IJLLR Journal
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Abhinav Mall, Asian Law College, Noida
Ketan Saxena, Asian Law College, Noida
Akshita, Asian Law College, Noida
ABSTRACT
The advent of PropTech and digital real estate platforms has significantly expanded market reach but also opened new avenues for fraud. Major cities have seen rapid growth in online property transactions fueled by AI and immersive technology, yet scammers have adapted to exploit these channels. This paper examines how cybercriminals abuse online listings and portals to defraud homebuyers, tenants, and investors. It reviews India's legal framework including the Information Technology Act, the Indian Penal Code (and draft Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023), the Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA), and consumer laws and assesses recent case law on platform liability. Two illustrative case studies (a 2024 Noida rental scam and a 2024 Bangalore investment fraud) highlight investigative and jurisdictional issues. We analyze gaps in existing statutes (such as limited KYC and weak notice procedures) and propose legislative and technological responses. In particular, we discuss blockchain-based title recording and AI-driven fraud detection, alongside enhanced regulatory coordination. The paper concludes with detailed recommendations for lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and lawyers to shore up trust and compliance in online property markets.
