Honeymoon nightmare: Newly-weds duped of Rs 7.6L for Europe trip; probe reveals travel agency may have duped many | Kolkata News
KOLKATA: A honeymoon trip to Europe turned into a nightmare for a newly-wed couple from New Alipore after they were allegedly defrauded of Rs 7.6 lakh by a travel agency, the owner of which turned out to be involved in fraud. The initial probe found that several others might have been duped in a similar fashion.The fraud came to light just three days before their wedding when they received a message cancelling their trip without explanation.
The couple filed a police complaint against both owners for criminal conspiracy and cheating. The agency, operating from the Survey Park-east Jadavpur area, allegedly collected full payment for a European tour package, scheduled to start on May 14, but failed to provide confirmed bookings or travel vouchers.According to the complaint, the couple made multiple payments between Jan and April through various bank transfers, totalling Rs 7.6 lakh to the company’s business account. “We were given dummy bookings that were neither confirmed nor approved for flight tickets and travel vouchers required for visa applications,” said the victim, a partner of a fledgling firm. The agency owners initially issued two post-dated cheques of Rs 3.8 lakh each for June 27, promising a full refund within 45 days.This incident follows a series of travel scams in the city. Last week, police arrested a travel agent in Chinsurah for a Rs 5.2 crore airline ticket fraud targeting a tour company. The Ekbalpore Police Station also registered a case against another travel agent who allegedly cheated multiple victims of Rs 2 crore through fake Southeast Asian tour packages.“Citizens are advised to exercise caution while booking travel packages. Verify travel agency credentials, cross-check bookings directly with hotels and airlines, and maintain records of all transactions. Report suspicious travel offers to the nearest police station or cyber cell immediately,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar.A detective department officer said, “We are investigating multiple travel fraud cases. Citizens should avoid making full payments in advance and deal only with registered travel agencies with verifiable business histories.”The guidelines specifically warn against agencies requesting wire transfers to personal bank accounts and those providing vague documentation. Experts recommend booking through agencies affiliated with recognised trade organisations. “Legitimate travel agencies will always provide detailed itineraries and secure payment options,” said an operator, adding, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.“The police have also urged travellers to report suspicious agencies to their state’s consumer protection office.
