Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 7: Anjuna police on Friday arrested Gauresh Shirodkar, a resident of Mandur, for allegedly cheating tourists by offering fake holiday packages, with multiple cases registered against him across Goa.

The latest case involves the alleged cheating of Nida Fathima (26), a resident of Ramanagaram in Karnataka, who reportedly lost Rs 99,430 after being lured into purchasing a holiday package.

Police said three FIRs relating to alleged cheating had been registered against Shirodkar at Anjuna police station.

"Shirodkar has been arrested considering the organised nature of the alleged operation, multiple complaints and FIRs, and the need to identify other persons involved," a police officer involved in the investigation said.

According to police, Shirodkar operated GOII Vacation Pvt Ltd and deployed field staff to attract prospective customers through various methods, including the distribution of scratch cards.

The alleged modus operandi involved inviting customers to Hotel Lemon Tree in Arpora, where presentations about holiday packages were conducted and customers were persuaded to make payments. Fathima allegedly paid Rs 99,430 but was cheated.

Police further revealed that Shirodkar faces four FIRs at Panaji police station and one each at Calangute police station and the Economic Offences Cell in Panaji for similar offences involving an alleged organised pattern of cheating tourists.

Following his arrest, Shirodkar was produced before the Mapusa court, which remanded him to three days of police custody.

Further investigation is underway.