Pune Travel Agent Accused of Rs 1.7 Lakh Fraud for London Flight Tickets
The Bhosari MIDC police in Pune have launched a manhunt for a travel agent who is accused of defrauding a private company employee of Rs 1.7 lakh. The agent allegedly took the money in January 2025 to book three flight tickets to London for a journey scheduled on May 7, 2025, but instead diverted the funds for personal use without making any actual bookings.
Victim Discovers Fraud After Checking with Airline
The complainant, who resides in Moshi and works for a private company, had contacted the accused travel agent based in Kharadi to purchase the tickets. After paying the substantial sum, he was assured that the bookings were confirmed for the specified flight. However, growing suspicious, the man later verified with the airline directly and was shocked to learn that no tickets had been issued in his name.
Despite repeated follow-ups with the agent, the victim received no refund or satisfactory explanation, prompting him to file a formal complaint with the Bhosari MIDC police. The police have since registered a case under Section 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, highlighting the serious nature of the alleged deception.
Police Investigation Underway
An officer from the Bhosari MIDC police station provided details on the case, stating that the complainant had entrusted the agent with the task due to the perceived convenience and trust in the service. The officer emphasized that the accused exploited this trust, falsely claiming to have completed the booking while misappropriating the funds for personal expenses.
The investigation is currently focused on locating the travel agent, who has since gone off the grid, and recovering the defrauded amount. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when dealing with travel agents and to always verify bookings directly with airlines or through official channels to avoid similar scams.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unverified travel services, especially for high-value transactions like international flight bookings. The police are also reviewing similar past complaints to determine if this agent has been involved in other fraudulent activities.
