Oshiwara Police have arrested Akash Rupkumar Jadhvani, a 25-year-old fraudster, accused of scamming people by offering fake online bookings for villas, resorts, and hotels.
According to police sources, Jadhvani lured victims with attractive offers for luxury accommodations advertised through social media and fraudulent websites. Once victims made advance payments, he would vanish without providing any bookings or services.
The scam was uncovered when a 40-year-old real estate broker lost Rs 42,000 in January. The complainant, who was planning a family holiday to places like Karjat, Khopoli, or Lonavala, saw an Instagram advertisement on an account with over 14,000 followers. He clicked the link and contacted the agent via WhatsApp, where the accused offered a package for Rs 85,000 for an 18-member group for a two-day stay in Lonavala from March 16 to 18. He demanded an advance payment of Rs 42,000, which the complainant transferred via bank.
However, after some members of the travel group warned the complainant about the agent’s poor reputation, he became suspicious. Upon trying to cancel the booking and request a refund, the accused neither returned the money nor responded to calls or emails.
After several failed attempts to contact the agent, the complainant reported the matter to the cyber helpline and subsequently filed an FIR at Oshiwara Police Station. Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and arrested Jadhvani in Pune.
Jadhvani, a resident of Pant Nagar, has a history of similar fraud cases across multiple police stations, including Malabar Hill, LT Marg, and Vile Parle. He used to stay in PG accommodations, using these addresses as proof of residence to open bank accounts where he deposited the fraudulent money. Once a complaint was lodged and his account blocked, he would relocate to another PG, open a new account, and continue his fraudulent activities.
The police have now seized his accounts and are continuing their investigation under the supervision of Senior Inspector Mohan Patil and Police Inspector Prabhat Mankar. A cyber team, led by PSI Shar, is actively involved in the investigation.
