CHENNAI: The TP Chatram Police have arrested a man for allegedly cheating a person of Rs 20 lakh by promising to lease an apartment and subsequently issuing a dishonoured cheque.

The accused has been identified as Premkumar, 36, of Kaveri Rangan Nagar, Saligramam, Chennai.

According to the police, the complainant, Mohammed Ali, 73, of KK Nagar, was searching for a house on lease in December 2024 through Premkumar, an acquaintance. Premkumar offered to lease a flat in an apartment complex in Saligramam's Kaveri Rangan Nagar for Rs 25 lakh.

Trusting him, Mohammed Ali paid the entire Rs 25 lakh in December 2024. Premkumar initially delayed handing over the keys and later, on March 24, 2025, refunded only Rs 5 lakh to Mohammed Ali's bank account. For the remaining Rs 20 lakh, he issued a cheque.

When Mohammed Ali deposited the cheque, it was dishonoured due to insufficient funds in Premkumar's account. Following this, Mohammed Ali filed a formal complaint at the TP Chatram police station.

A team led by the station's Inspector conducted a thorough investigation and arrested Premkumar. Further inquiry revealed that a similar fraud case is already pending against Premkumar at the Virugambakkam police station.

The arrested accused was produced before a court on Thursday and has been remanded to judicial custody following the court's orders.