Goa, often referred to as the crown jewel of Indian tourism, continues to attract millions of visitors seeking sun, sand, and vibrant culture. Unfortunately, the region’s charm has also caught the attention of unscrupulous individuals, with a recent scam revealing the darker side of online bookings. On Monday, Goa police arrested a gang from Hyderabad believed to be behind a significant fraud targeting unsuspecting tourists.
The arrested individuals—Sayed Ali Mukhtar, Mohammed Firod, Mohammed Azharuddin Saif, and Gwalior resident Saurabh Duseja—allegedly lured tourists through manipulative tactics involving non-existent hotels advertised on popular travel aggregator sites.
The scam came to light after Pankaj Dhiman, a Chandigarh resident, reported losing ₹20,000 while trying to book what he thought was a legitimate property in Goa.
The scheme was slick in its execution. Tourists were enticed by attractive listings that appeared on well-known travel platforms. However, the booking process diverged from the established norms, as the transactions were directed away from the official website and into the realm of UPI payments.
Tourists were often met with listings labelled as ‘unverified,’ which subtly encouraged them to bypass standard booking protocols and reach out directly via a provided phone number.
The Goa Assembly has previously recognized the dangers posed by such dubious practices. In January 2019, an amendment to the Goa Tourist Trade Act was enacted to safeguard tourists from fraudulent hotel listings.
The new regulations mandated that all online aggregators must register with the tourism department before advertising hotel accommodations.
Furthermore, the act prohibits these platforms from promoting or selling rooms in unregistered hotels, thereby attempting to ensure some level of trust in the online booking process.
Despite these regulations, the recent scam highlights ongoing vulnerabilities within the system.
It underscores the importance of due diligence by tourists when making online reservations. As tempting as an attractive price may seem, verifying the legitimacy of a booking is essential. Potential guests should always look for official listings or, ideally, contact properties directly through verified channels rather than using the unverified listings presented on aggregator sites.
The Goa Tourism Department holds the authority to enforce regulations and can instruct online service providers to remove listings for any hotels or travel agents that are unregistered, cancelled, or whose registration has expired.
While the department has made strides to tackle such issues, this incident serves as a wake-up call for ongoing vigilance and further refinement of enforcement measures.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital transactions, tourists must remain cautious and informed.
Anyone planning a trip to Goa should remember to book accommodations through official channels and verify registrations with the Goa Tourism Department before sending any payments. Awareness, when coupled with robust regulatory measures, can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams and ensure that the Goan tourism experience remains enjoyable and secure.
As authorities continue to investigate and dismantle fraudulent operations, the hope is that such scams become a relic of the past, allowing Goa to retain its reputation as a safe haven for travelers from all corners of the globe.
SURAJ BNANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
