A 35-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru has been duped of Rs 1.15 crore in a sophisticated online travel scam that originated on Facebook. The victim, a resident of the upscale Sadashivanagar area, fell prey to fraudsters who posed as travel agents offering irresistible deals on flight tickets and hotel accommodations.
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim came across a Facebook page that advertised cheap flight tickets and hotel bookings. Intrigued by the attractive offers, he contacted the page administrators, who introduced themselves as representatives of a well-known travel agency. They convinced him to transfer money for a family trip to Europe, promising significant discounts.
Over several weeks, the fraudsters kept demanding more money for various reasons, including visa processing, travel insurance, and booking confirmations. The victim, believing he was dealing with a legitimate agency, transferred a total of Rs 1.15 crore in multiple transactions.
Realization and Police Complaint
When the victim did not receive any tickets or booking confirmations despite repeated follow-ups, he realized he had been scammed. He approached the Cyber Crime Police Station in Bengaluru and lodged a complaint. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.
Investigating officers are tracking the digital footprints of the fraudsters, including the Facebook page, phone numbers, and bank accounts used for the transactions. They suspect the involvement of a larger cyber crime syndicate operating from outside the state.
Modus Operandi of the Scammers
According to police, the fraudsters used fake identities and created a professional-looking Facebook page with hundreds of followers and positive reviews, which were likely fabricated. They employed high-pressure sales tactics, offering limited-time deals to rush the victim into making payments without proper verification.
The scammers also provided fake invoices and booking IDs to build trust. Once the victim made the initial payment, they continued to extract money by citing unforeseen charges and taxes.
Preventive Measures
Cyber crime experts advise people to be cautious while dealing with unknown travel agencies on social media. They recommend verifying the authenticity of the agency by checking official websites, reading genuine customer reviews, and never transferring money to personal bank accounts. Always use secure payment methods and insist on official receipts.
In case of any suspicious activity, immediately report to the cyber crime helpline or local police. The Bengaluru Police have urged citizens to stay vigilant and not fall for too-good-to-be-true offers.
The case highlights the growing menace of online frauds, especially on social media platforms. Authorities are working to raise awareness and strengthen cyber security measures to protect citizens from such scams.
