Mumbai man held for fake tour package offers
A note of caution from the Rachakonda police commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat to people seeking tour and honeymoon packages via internet sites promising lower rates for international and domestic sectors.
Some advertisers on social media are making false promises and cheating those who are seeking cheaper packages. On Friday, the police arrested a fake tour operator who offered both international and domestic travel as also stay at cheaper rates.
The pictures of destinations posted on the social media attracted many. However, at least one of those who transferred money into his account later found that his phone has gone mute.
Accused cyber fraudster Arafat Farook Motorwala, 32, is a resident of Jogeshwari in West Mumbai. Police said he trapped people by offering them holiday packages at unbelievably low rates. He offered both international and domestic tour package details on Instagram.
On seeing his posts, several aspiring travellers contacted him and were convinced by the offers extended to them by the accused. One victim transferred `46,000 in multiple transactions to Arafat's bank account.
After this, the accused informed the victim that the trips were cancelled due to non-availability of the said packages at that time.
He was evasive for some time and refused to refund the money to the victim. A while later, the accused switched off his phone, the victim has complained to the police.
The Investigation officers collected all the technical evidences. After analyzing the data and other credible information, the accused was arrested on 29.01.2021 and is being produced for judicial custody.
Police commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat urged netizens to visit genuine travel websites or walk to the nearest travel agent for their travel needs and not get lured by offers of cheap tour packages posted on social media platforms by cyber fraudsters.
● SOME ADVERTISERS on social media are making false promises and cheating those who are seeking cheaper packages. On Friday, the police arrested a fake tour operator who offered both international and domestic travel as also stay at cheaper rates.