The landscape of online fraud is constantly evolving, with scamsters employing increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit common people. As technology advances, so does the arsenal of tools at the disposal of those seeking to deceive and defraud. In one such online scam, over 100 tourists, primarily from West Bengal, have fallen victim to online hotel booking scams in Puri, a popular tourist destination in Odisha, India.
According to a TOI report, the scams have been ongoing for the past six months, with two new cases reported just last Sunday. The scammers created fake websites bearing the names of legitimate hotels in Puri. These websites offer attractive discounts on tour packages and sightseeing, enticing unsuspecting tourists to make bookings. Once a booking is made, the scammers demand advance payments, which the victims willingly transfer. However, upon arrival at the hotel, the tourists discover that their reservations are non-existent, and they have lost their money.
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As per the report, a victim named Rakesh Halder from Kolkata booked a hotel room for six days via fake website created by these scamsters. He said then he was directed to a payment platform wherein he was asked to pay Rs 8000 in advance.
“I transferred the amount. When I reached Puri, I found that I found that no such hotel exists. I have lodged a complaint with Puri Police,” he said.
Many victims refrain from reporting the fraud due to the hassle involved in dealing with the police and courts. This lack of reporting emboldens the scammers to continue their operations. Authorities are urging tourists to exercise caution when booking hotels online and to only use reputable platforms. It is also advisable to verify the hotel’s existence and contact information before making any payments.
Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to online hotel booking scams or similar steal deals:
— Only use reputable and well-known booking websites.
— Check for the hotel’s website and contact information.
— Read reviews of the hotel before making a reservation.
— Beware of deals that seem too good to be true.
— Never send money to a hotel before you have confirmed your reservation.
— If you think you have been a victim of a scam, report it to the police immediately.
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