Woman Loses Rs 1.95 Crore in Vadodara Travel Scam Targeting Dubai and Vietnam Packages
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a travel operator in Vadodara, Gujarat, fell victim to scammers who cheated her out of over Rs 1.95 crore. The con artists promised exciting travel packages to Dubai and Vietnam but vanished after taking her money, as Vadodara Cyber Crime Police revealed.
Kavita Rachchh, who runs a travel business from the Kalali area, shared her ordeal in a complaint. The fraudsters first won her trust by handling small bookings smoothly and even paying her commissions on time. It all started on March 5 when she got an email from someone pretending to be from "STH Journey Solution Pvt. Ltd," using the name Innatosh Holiday.
Things seemed fine at first. Kavita arranged flights and hotels for initial trips without any hitches. But on May 5, the scammers upped the game. They offered a Dubai package worth Rs 85,500 for a group of 30 people, which soon grew to 64 travelers. They also booked a Diwali special to Vietnam for Rs 91,500 for a group from Rajkot.
Here’s where it went wrong: The tickets for Dubai turned out to be fake. For the Vietnam trip, there were no facilities or return tickets as promised. The fraudsters kept everything going through emails and WhatsApp, pushing Kavita to make more payments.
In total, she lost Rs 80.36 lakh via bank transfers, Rs 10.51 lakh through online payments, and a whopping Rs 1.04 crore using the traditional Angadia courier system. Once they had the cash, the accused simply disappeared.
Police have now registered a case against unknown persons for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and violations under the Information Technology Act. They’re investigating to track down the culprits behind this visa fraud and travel scam.
Rising Visa Fraud Cases in Gujarat Keep Police on Alert
This isn’t an isolated incident. Gujarat has seen a surge in visa fraud scams, where agents dupe people dreaming of jobs, education, or vacations abroad. Scammers target desperate families with fake promises of opportunities in the US, Canada, and Europe.
These fraudsters charge huge sums—often lakhs of rupees—for forged documents, bogus invitations, and fake tickets. Many cases involve fake student or tourist visas used as a front for illegal immigration. Victims end up stranded overseas with no help, facing huge losses.
Police say these scams prey on people’s hopes for a better life. Investigations often lead to arrests in cities like Ahmedabad, Anand, and North Gujarat. If you’re planning international travel or a visa, always verify details through official channels to avoid falling into such travel scams or visa fraud traps. Stay safe and double-check!
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