Mumbai Senior Citizen Duped of Rs 2.75 Lakh in Fake Hotel Booking Scam
A 70-year-old businessman from Mumbai has fallen victim to a sophisticated online hotel booking fraud, losing nearly Rs 2.75 lakh after contacting a fake customer care number found online. The incident once again highlights the growing threat of cybercrime targeting unsuspecting citizens, especially senior individuals.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The victim, a resident of Mulund East, was attempting to book accommodation in Pune through an online travel portal on February 6 at around 1 pm. After completing a payment of Rs 5,602 via Google Pay, he received a notification claiming that his booking had not been successfully completed and required further action.
Concerned about his reservation, he searched the internet for the portal’s customer care details. Unfortunately, he came across a fraudulent mobile number and dialled it, assuming it to be genuine.
Fake Executive and WhatsApp Communication
When the call was answered, the person on the other end introduced himself as a customer care executive. He instructed the businessman to continue the conversation on WhatsApp for assistance.
Shortly after, the victim began receiving messages from another mobile number displaying the name “Rahul Kumar Mishra”. The individual first requested a nominal payment of Rs 10, claiming it was required for verification purposes.
Following this, the caller persuaded him to share his debit card details under the pretext of processing a refund.
Money Drained in Multiple Transactions
Trusting that he was interacting with legitimate representatives, the businessman provided the requested information. Within a few hours, three separate transactions were carried out from his bank account:
The total amount siphoned off reached Rs 2,75,015.90.
It was only after noticing the large debits that the victim realised he had been cheated.
Police Action and Investigation
The businessman immediately approached the Navghar Police to file a complaint. Authorities have registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The accused in the case include:
Police officials have launched an investigation to trace those involved and recover the lost amount.
Rising Threat of Online Booking Frauds
This case serves as a reminder that cybercriminals are increasingly using fake customer care numbers and social messaging platforms to trap victims. Experts advise people to:
With online transactions becoming a routine part of daily life, staying vigilant is crucial to avoid falling prey to such scams.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The victim, a resident of Mulund East, was attempting to book accommodation in Pune through an online travel portal on February 6 at around 1 pm. After completing a payment of Rs 5,602 via Google Pay, he received a notification claiming that his booking had not been successfully completed and required further action.
Concerned about his reservation, he searched the internet for the portal’s customer care details. Unfortunately, he came across a fraudulent mobile number and dialled it, assuming it to be genuine.
Fake Executive and WhatsApp Communication
When the call was answered, the person on the other end introduced himself as a customer care executive. He instructed the businessman to continue the conversation on WhatsApp for assistance.
Shortly after, the victim began receiving messages from another mobile number displaying the name “Rahul Kumar Mishra”. The individual first requested a nominal payment of Rs 10, claiming it was required for verification purposes.
Following this, the caller persuaded him to share his debit card details under the pretext of processing a refund.
Money Drained in Multiple Transactions
Trusting that he was interacting with legitimate representatives, the businessman provided the requested information. Within a few hours, three separate transactions were carried out from his bank account:
- Rs 10
- Rs 1,90,005.90
- Rs 85,000
The total amount siphoned off reached Rs 2,75,015.90.
It was only after noticing the large debits that the victim realised he had been cheated.
Police Action and Investigation
The businessman immediately approached the Navghar Police to file a complaint. Authorities have registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The accused in the case include:
- The unidentified individual who answered the initial call
- The WhatsApp user posing as “Rahul Kumar Mishra”
- The person suspected of creating the fake booking interface
- The beneficiaries who received the fraudulently transferred funds
Police officials have launched an investigation to trace those involved and recover the lost amount.
Rising Threat of Online Booking Frauds
This case serves as a reminder that cybercriminals are increasingly using fake customer care numbers and social messaging platforms to trap victims. Experts advise people to:
- Use only official websites and verified contact details
- Avoid sharing debit or credit card details over phone or WhatsApp
- Cross-check customer care numbers directly from official portals
- Report suspicious activity immediately
With online transactions becoming a routine part of daily life, staying vigilant is crucial to avoid falling prey to such scams.
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