Chennai: The search continues for a man from Kodungaiyur wanted in a housing scheme fraud case.

Chennai: The New Washermanpet police are searching for a man who claimed to be a driver with the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) and is accused of defrauding several people by promising them houses in the board’s housing projects. The case has been registered under sections of the BNS for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of evidence or giving false information, based on a complaint filed by L. Baby of Tondiarpet and ten others. The complaint alleges that the accused, identified as Vinod Babu of Kodungaiyur, introduced himself as a driver with the TNSCB.
He allegedly promised to secure and transfer newly constructed houses under the TNSCB’s urban housing scheme located on Kailasapuram Street in Tondiarpet. Based on these promises, the accused allegedly collected a total of approximately Rs. 33.10 lakh from the group between September 20, 2024, and July 30, 2025, police said. The accused failed to deliver the houses as promised, following which the complaint was filed. After receiving the complaint and obtaining legal opinion, the crime police formally registered the case on Wednesday evening. “An FIR has been registered based on the complaint. The accused, Vinod Babu, has not yet been arrested, and efforts are underway to locate him. The investigation is ongoing,” a station officer said. The police have recorded a total property loss of Rs. 33.10 lakh.