North Goa
Multi- crore tourist scam involving online villa listings unearthed
4 accused apprehended
SYED WAJID
sufijourno@gmail.com
In a major breakthrough, North Goa Police have busted a multi-crore scam targeting tourists through fraudulent online villa listings. The scam, which had been operational since 2022, involved listing non-existent properties on popular booking platforms like Booking.com and collecting advance payments from unsuspecting victims.
The police acted after a surge in complaints from tourists who were duped into paying for accommodations that actually never existed. Over 500 people have reportedly fallen prey to the scam, with the investigation team working diligently to reach out to those affected and record their statements.
The case surfaced when Chandigarh resident Pankaj Dhiman lodged a complaint after being cheated of ₹20,000 while attempting to book a property named "Ruby Villa" on Booking.com. Upon arriving in Goa, he discovered the villa did not exist. His complaint led to the registration of an FIR under Section 318 (4) of the BNS Act, 2023, at the Anjuna Police Station.
Following an intensive investigation, four individuals three from Hyderabad and one from Jaipur have been arrested. The accused have been identified as Saurabh 37 years, Sayed Ali Mukhtar, Mohammad Firoz and Mohammad Azharuddin Saif.
The police revealed that the scam was orchestrated from a rented room in Hyderabad. The accused exploited vulnerabilities in online booking platforms to create fake listings and used female operators to field calls, thereby gaining the trust of potential victims. Payments were collected through digital payment systems linked to multiple bank accounts.
The investigation team comprising Mayank Dubey, Arun Balgotra, PI Suraj Gawas, PSI Sahil Warang, PSI Ramesh Harijan, and PSI Sai from Anjuna Police Station,
PC Raj Parab and PC Vidya from Calangute Police Station cracked the case after unstinted efforts.
Tourists are advised to exercise caution while booking accommodations online and they should verify the authenticity of listings before making payments, the police appealed to the tourists visiting Goa.
The police have assured the public that further investigations are underway to trace other individuals involved and recover the defrauded amounts. Victims of the scam are urged to come forward and register their complaints to help the probe mature.
This bust underscores the Goa Police’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of tourists in the state.
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