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n the city of Bengaluru, a hotbed of real estate activity, the industry's underbelly is a tangled web of deceit and corruption. A recent exposé on Reddit has shed light on the systemic rot that fuels the city's property boom, leaving homebuyers frustrated and disillusioned.

    The post, penned by an insider who claims to have worked with four major developers, paints a damning picture of an industry built on short-term gains and regulatory manipulation. "Publicly listed firms peddle glitzy launches, but beneath the surface lies a rotten system," the author writes.

    Funds from homebuyers are allegedly siphoned off using fake vendors or related entities, while quarterly financial updates to RERA are either skipped or faked. The system is described as a facade with no oversight, audits, or consequences.

    Clean-title land is a rarity in Bengaluru's real estate market, and properties often come entangled in disputes that are downplayed or masked until buyers are locked in. Litigations are frequently settled off the books, and some cases are even fabricated.

    Developers reportedly erect clubhouses and civic spaces on non-developable land, betting on post-facto regularization through bribes. After possession, buyers face further extortion: "Want OC? NOC? BWSSB connection? Be ready for bribes," the post warns.

    The misuse of borewells without permits is another issue flagged by the insider, who claims that every project they've worked on has overused borewells to cut water tanker costs. Construction-linked and time-linked payment plans are designed to secure funds early and slow construction deliberately, allowing builders to show off new launches while projects crawl.

    The regulatory authority in Bengaluru is described as toothless, with delays resolved through standard extension requests and no significant penalties or accountability. Bank approvals can be manipulated through internal contacts and "fees," and fake "sold out" statuses are used to manufacture urgency.

    Even post-possession, buyers remain in the dark as builders delay forming Resident Welfare Associations to retain control over revenue-generating amenities. The insider warns that a "deep-rooted political nexus" shields the system, and if one major player falters, the entire Bengaluru real estate market could collapse.

    The post has sparked an outpouring of responses online, with commenters sharing their own experiences and concerns. One user notes that land transfer to Association of Allottees as per section 17 of RERA is not happening in Karnataka, while another writes, "It's like they do everything in their power to deceive and alienate their end consumers." A third commenter asks, "Are there any genuine players in this space? And what key questions should a buyer ask to make sure the property is legit?"