HIGHLIGHTS

The beginning of the scam

How a tempting travel package turned into a financial loss.

The victim ended up losing Rs 64,000 due to deceitful transactions.

Planning a vacation can bring both joy and anticipation, but a scam can quickly transform that excitement into distress. One unfortunate individual experienced this reality after falling victim to a fraudulent scheme masquerading as a travel agency. This incident sheds light on the escalating threat of online scams, where deceitful marketers entice victims with appealing offers that lead them into financial traps. In this article, we will delve into the details of how the scam unfolded and provide guidance on how you can protect yourself from similar fraudulent activities.

The chain of events began on January 18, when the victim received a phone call from an individual purporting to be a representative of “Rakesh Subramanya Tours.” The caller presented a travel package to Prayagraj that seemed quite appealing. The complainant, trusting the purported tour operator, was persuaded to proceed with the payments.

In a similar vein, you may want to check out this article: Man loses Rs 4 lakh to credit card reward points scam: Here’s what happened.

The con artist was skillful in convincing the victim to make multiple money transfers, resulting in a total loss of Rs 64,000. As soon as the last payment was made, all communication on the part of the so-called travel company ceased. The victim’s attempts to reach out went unanswered, leaving him in a state of shock.

Upon realizing he had been a victim of a scam, the individual promptly reported the incident to the authorities.

Furthermore, it is essential to remain aware of other scams, such as: Doctor loses Rs 1.8cr in stock investment scam: Here’s how to avoid falling for such frauds.

Tips for steering clear of scams

• Confirm the agency’s authenticity: Before finalizing any travel plans, verify the agency by visiting its official website and checking for customer reviews and registration details.
• Be wary of upfront payments: Exercise caution if a company requests full payment without providing confirmation or documentation. Reputable agencies will offer secure payment methods.
• Look for warning signs: Unsolicited phone calls, discounts that seem too good to be true, and pressure tactics to make hurried payments are telltale indicators of a scam.
• Use secure payment avenues: Always choose credit or debit cards or trusted payment gateways rather than direct bank transfers to reduce your risk.
• Report any suspicious activity: If you sense that something is amiss, don’t hesitate to report it immediately.

For additional caution, you may want to read about another harrowing experience: Businessman loses Rs 28 lakh in gold investment scam via Facebook: Here’s what happened.