Massive Airline Refund Scam Uncovered in Delhi: Foreign Tourists Targeted — Here's How to Stay Safe

Delhi-Based Fake Travel Agency Busted for Cyber Fraud Using Airline Refund Claims — Thousands of Foreigners Duped

A shocking case of cybercrime and identity fraud has been exposed by the Delhi Police Special Cell, involving a fake travel agency that lured thousands of unsuspecting foreign nationals into an airline refund scam. Operating under the name AVS Holidays

, the company presented itself as a legitimate travel service but ran an elaborate con, primarily targeting citizens from the United States and the UK.

The mastermind behind this racket, Akshay Sharma, has been arrested. Let’s take a detailed look at how this scam worked and what you can do to protect yourself from similar frauds.

The Modus Operandi: A Travel Scam with a Sinister Twist

AVS Holidays, run out of Delhi, approached international customers with attractive travel deals. Once a foreign traveler booked a flight through the agency, the company would intentionally cancel the ticket

without informing the customer. With access to all personal information and booking details, the scammers went a step further.

They would forge death certificates for these travelers and claim full ticket refunds from airlines by declaring the passengers as deceased. While a small portion of the refunded amount was sent to the original customer as a gesture of goodwill or partial refund, the majority of the money was pocketed by the agency.

This process was repeated with hundreds, possibly thousands, of passengers—especially targeting those living overseas who were less likely to suspect foul play.

Who Is Akshay Sharma?

The accused, Akshay Sharma, a resident of Kriti Nagar, Delhi, was arrested last week. Sharma, the Director of AVS Holidays, had been running the fraudulent operation under the guise of a legal travel agency for years.

According to police reports, Sharma personally collected sensitive documents from clients, including passport copies, booking confirmations, and IDs. These documents were then misused to fabricate fake death certificates which were submitted to airlines to claim refunds.

He has been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

:

• Section 318(4)

• Section 319(2)

• Section 339/61(2)

• Section 3(5)
  In addition, charges have also been filed under Section 66C of the Information Technology (IT) Act for identity theft and digital fraud.

What Did the Police Reveal?

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Amit Kaushik, stated,

"During interrogation, the accused admitted to running a fake call center posing as a legitimate travel agency. He devised a scheme specifically aimed at foreign nationals, particularly Americans and other western tourists."

The scam operated over several years, making it one of the most audacious cyber fraud cases targeting international travelers in recent times.

How to Stay Safe from Such Scams

If you’ve recently interacted with unfamiliar travel agencies or received suspicious calls related to airline ticket refunds

, take these steps to protect yourself:

✅ Don’t Share Sensitive Documents

Never send your passport, visa, or ID documents to unknown or unverified travel agents—especially over WhatsApp or email.

✅ Verify Travel Agencies

Only book tickets through verified and reputed travel platforms. Cross-check company credentials on government portals or international directories.

✅ Be Wary of Refund Calls

If someone contacts you claiming your ticket has been canceled and offers a refund, contact the airline directly before taking further action.

✅ Report Immediately

If you suspect you’ve been targeted:

• Call the Cybercrime Helpline at 1930

• File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in

Final Thoughts

The scam run by AVS Holidays is a stark reminder of how far cybercriminals are willing to go—even falsely declaring people dead

—just to exploit refund policies and profit. As online transactions grow, so do the risks. Travelers must remain alert, verify every service, and never share personal data casually.

Stay informed, stay alert, and always double-check before trusting unknown travel agents.