Businessman Duped of ₹1.99 Lakh in Fake Luxury Resort Booking in Sikkim

A businessman from Gurugram fell victim to a cyber fraud amounting to ₹1,99,781 while attempting to book a luxury resort in Sikkim. The fraudsters tricked him into transferring money online but neither confirmed the booking nor refunded the amount. The victim, Yuvraj Singh Sabharwal, has filed a complaint at the Manesar Cyber Crime Police Station.

According to the complaint, Sabharwal, a resident of DLF New Town Heights, Sector 90, planned a family trip to Sikkim on March 3. While searching for a resort online, he found a contact number for JET Luxury Resort through Google. When he called, an individual posing as a resort employee directed him to send booking details via WhatsApp.

The scammer initially quoted ₹9,809 for the booking. When Sabharwal attempted payment via credit card, the transaction failed, and the amount was refunded. Gaining his trust, the fraudster manipulated him into making three transactions totaling ₹99,154 using another card.

Later, the fraudster claimed that excess money would be refunded and requested another bank account. Believing this, Sabharwal provided his sister-in-law’s HDFC account details. The scammer then sent a fake credit code, tricking him into authorizing four more transactions amounting to ₹99,154.

In total, the cybercriminals siphoned ₹1,99,781. Authorities are investigating, and police urge the public to verify hotel contacts before making online payments.