Mumbai police have arrested up to 13 people, including a woman, for allegedly deceiving potential tourists to get them to buy cheap tickets.
The gang, allegedly targeting NRIs and Indians, promised cheaper tickets but after accepting the money, they cut off contact. Crime department officials have dismantled a fake call center at a shopping complex in Marol in Andheri East.
One of the defendants, identified as Mridul Joshi, former chairman of Alwar Urban Cooperative Bank, was previously arrested by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group, for allegedly embezzling more than Rs 16 crore.
Meanwhile, Mridul Joshi's brother, Abhishek, the "mastermind" behind the call center scam, is still at large. This group advertised cheap tickets - by sharing a link or contact number - on social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram, Facebook, and even WhatsApp.
Speaking about the police action, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan said:
"Their online ads are mainly targeting people from Canada who want to go to India or vice versa. Many people covet cheap fares and pay the amount, and then defendants block their communication. the raid, our team found evidence of fraud."
Police said the fake call center had been operating for four months.
“They book tickets for three to four people a day and even constantly switch bank accounts. The attractive spreads they offer are 15-20% lower than other genuine addresses or resellers.”
Police have found the defendant on charges of impersonation, fraud, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and general purpose under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of Technology Act Information.
The defendants were detained until August 14.
