Partner dupes travel agent of `40L

MUMBAI: A Colaba-based travel agent was allegedly cheated by his partner of `40 lakh after he vanished with the money. The victim, Pramod Kamble, requested the police in a complaint to book his partner Jainul Shaikh for cheating. He said the addresses given to him were fake and he has been untraceable for a week. Police said they are verifying the facts following which a cheating case will be filed against Shaikh.

According to Kamble’s complaint, he met Shaikh, who was working at a tourism-based company Red Apple. They got friendly and Kamble shared his business plans with Shaikh. The latter showed interest and offered to book tickets at cheaper rates. Kamble began to delegate the bookings of the flight tickets to Shaikh as and when he needed. A deal was struck. Kamble paid Shaikh according to the order. Initially, in June and July, the business went smoothly and nothing wrong was detected. However, as time passed, Kamble started getting group bookings which were forwarded to Shaikh along with the money, but the latter failed to book the tickets on time. When the time came to get a confirmation on the booking status, Shaikh was given a constant reminder, but the latter again failed to do so. Finally, when Kamble started calling Shaikh to get a clearer picture, Shaikh was untraceable.

The complainant, Pramod Kamble said, “When I tried to reach him over the phone, he was unreachable. Then, I visited his workplace Red Apple to confirm the bookings with the company. Shaikh had not transferred the money I paid him for the flight booking and he had already left for a month’s leave citing medical issues. I began receiving calls from my customers regarding the booking, which showed me in poor light as a ticketing agent.”

When contacted senior police official of Colaba police station, he said, “We are verifying the allegations and evidences provided by the complainant, following which appropriate action will be initiated.”