Honeymoon Dreams Dashed: Kolkata Couple Scammed

Travel agency allegedly swindles newlyweds out of ₹7.6 lakh for European trip.

A Kolkata couple’s dream honeymoon in Europe turned sour after a travel agency allegedly defrauded them of ₹7.6 lakh. The agency canceled their trip just before the wedding, despite receiving full payment.

Details of the Deception

Just three days before their wedding, the couple received a message abruptly canceling their long-awaited trip. The couple has since filed a police complaint against the agency owners for criminal conspiracy and cheating.

Operating out of the Survey Park-east Jadavpur area, the travel agency reportedly collected the full amount for the European tour package, scheduled to commence on May 14, yet failed to provide confirmed bookings or valid travel vouchers.

According to the complaint, between January and April, the couple made multiple payments via bank transfers, summing up to ₹7.6 lakh to the agency’s business account. The victims stated that they “were given dummy bookings that were neither confirmed nor approved for flight tickets and travel vouchers required for visa applications.”

Initially, the agency owners provided two post-dated cheques of ₹3.8 lakh each, dated June 27, promising a complete refund within 45 days. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2023, travel-related fraud accounted for $789 million in losses (FTC.gov).

String of Scams

This incident is part of a troubling trend of travel-related scams plaguing the city. Just last week, police apprehended a travel agent in Chinsurah for a ₹5.2 crore airline ticket fraud targeting a tour operator. Additionally, the Ekbalpore Police Station is investigating another travel agent accused of defrauding multiple individuals of ₹2 crore through fake Southeast Asian tour packages.

Authorities Advise Caution

A senior officer at Lalbazar urged, “Citizens are advised to exercise caution while booking travel packages. Verify travel agency credentials, cross-check bookings directly with hotels and airlines, and maintain records of all transactions. Report suspicious travel offers to the nearest police station or cyber cell immediately.”

A detective department officer added that they are “investigating multiple travel fraud cases. Citizens should avoid making full payments in advance and deal only with registered travel agencies with verifiable business histories.”

The guidelines caution against agencies requesting wire transfers to personal bank accounts or providing unclear documentation. Experts suggest booking through agencies affiliated with recognized trade organizations.

“Legitimate travel agencies will always provide detailed itineraries and secure payment options,” said an operator, adding, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Authorities have also advised travelers to report any suspicious agencies to their state’s consumer protection office.