In a significant crackdown on cyber fraud, Goa police arrested Lalit Khare, a 25-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly operating a nationwide fake hotel website racket. The accused was apprehended in Morena, MP, after a complaint was filed by the general manager of a beach resort in Salcete, Goa. The resort reported a fraudulent website using its name to scam tourists.
Investigations by the cybercrime unit revealed that Khare had set up multiple fake hotel websites across Goa, Odisha, and Meghalaya. The scam involved creating fraudulent websites for well-known hotels, listing them on Google, and using WhatsApp to impersonate hotel staff. Victims were then convinced to transfer money into fraudulent accounts under the guise of booking hotel rooms.
Further questioning led investigators to Firoz Ahmad from Guna, MP, who allegedly funded the operation. Ahmad’s involvement has prompted a probe that has extended to Mewat, Rajasthan.
Cyber Crime SP Rahul Gupta emphasized the importance of verifying hotel websites before making any payments. Authorities have urged the public to be cautious and report suspicious activities to local police or cybercrime officials to avoid falling victim to such scams.
