Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 2: A family trip turned into a nightmare for the son and daughter-in-law of former deputy commissioner of police Ambadas Pote after a Mumbai-based travel company allegedly duped them of Rs 1.64 lac by issuing fake hotel booking receipts for their Bangkok vacation.

The couple, Atul and Chitragandha Pote, had booked a holiday package for four through a company named Kenil Travels, lured by its attractive Rs 2 lac deal. After transferring Rs 88,000 on April 7 for flight bookings and the balance on April 21, the couple received a WhatsApp message from the company confirming accommodation at the Pullman Pattaya hotel in Bangkok.

However, upon their arrival in Bangkok on May 17 along with their children, they were shocked to discover that no reservation existed in their name at the hotel. Matters worsened when they learnt that even their return flight tickets had been cancelled without notice.

According to police, attempts to contact Akhilesh Singh, the owner of Kenil Travels, failed as he switched off his phone and became unreachable. The family had to make alternate arrangements for stay and return travel at their own expense.

Following their return to India, the family lodged a complaint through the Cyber Police helpline. The case was transferred to MHB police on Saturday. A case has now been registered against Singh under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with cybercrime-related provisions under sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the Information Technology Act.

Investigations are underway, police said, as they work to track down the absconding accused.