HIGHLIGHTS

A 75-year-old businessman experienced a loss of Rs 1.02 lakh after falling prey to a scam while attempting to book accommodations and flight tickets for the Mahakumbh Mela.

During his online search for booking options, the complainant encountered a deceptive website, www.Mahakumbhcottagereservation.org.

The scammer communicated with Bhatia, offering tent accommodation for three individuals at a price of Rs 14,000.

In our increasingly digital world, scams have become an all-too-common hazard, making it essential for individuals to remain vigilant during online transactions. A recent incident serves as a significant reminder of how unsuspecting individuals can easily fall victim to such deceit. Sudesh Bhatia, a 75-year-old businessman, was defrauded of a staggering amount of Rs 1.02 lakh while he was booking accommodations and flights for the Mahakumbh Mela.

Bhatia, who manages a pharmaceutical factory in Versova, intended to visit the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj with his family on January 24 and 25. In his quest for online booking options, he came across a fraudulent site claiming to facilitate bookings at www.Mahakumbhcottagereservation.org. The website appeared credible and offered various accommodations for the event, prompting Bhatia to reach out using the phone number listed.

The individual on the other end of the line, posing as a representative of the site, offered Bhatia a tent accommodation that could accommodate three people at a cost of Rs 14,000. Trusting the seemingly legitimate service, Bhatia promptly transferred the amount to the accused’s IndusInd Bank account through RTGS and received a payment receipt as validation.

For more insight, read: Surat businessman loses Rs 5 lakh in currency exchange scam: How to protect yourself

Following the initial transaction, the scammer presented an offer for flight tickets from Mumbai to Prayagraj, quoting a total of Rs 88,786 for three return flights. Bhatia, convinced of the authenticity, agreed and proceeded to make the payment from his son’s HDFC Bank account to the details provided by the scammer.

The scammer subsequently sent Bhatia a ticket confirmation receipt, but when he requested the actual tickets, the responses became increasingly evasive, and eventually, the scammer ceased communication altogether, as reported by The Free Press Journal.

It was only when Bhatia noticed the scammer’s total unresponsiveness—complete with the phone numbers turned off—that he comprehended he had been duped, having lost a total of Rs 1.02 lakh. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he wasted no time in filing a complaint with the police.

For further reading, refer to: Mumbai woman loses Rs 1.5cr to fraudsters posing as government officials: Here’s what happened

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Verify website legitimacy: Always ensure the authenticity of a website before proceeding with any payments. Look for user reviews and ratings.
• Be cautious with contact information: If you find contact details on a website, check them against official sources before initiating communication.
• Avoid unsolicited offers: Be skeptical of unsolicited deals or offers that seem too good to be true, especially when they demand prompt payment.
• Use secure payment methods: Utilize trusted payment options and refrain from direct money transfers to bank accounts unless thoroughly verified.
• Stay informed: Regularly update your knowledge about prevalent scams and learn how to identify them.