A recent incident in Mumbai highlights the growing menace of cyberfraud that targets unsuspecting tourists. Tristan Bake, a 50-year-old German national and an international tourist guide, fell victim to a hotel booking scam, losing Rs 9,270 in the process.
Bake’s ordeal began when he searched online for hotels in Mumbai. He came across a website named Sahyadri State Guest House and contacted the provided phone number. A man named Abhishek claimed to be affiliated with Sahyadri Guest House and informed Bake that he needed to make an online payment to secure a room.
Trusting the legitimacy of the website and the person he spoke with, Bake transferred Rs 4,500 to the provided bank account. However, Abhishek then demanded an additional payment of 6% GST, promising to refund the initial amount once it was made. Falling into the trap, Bake made the second payment of Rs 4,770.
Upon arriving at Sahyadri Guest House in Malabar Hill, Bake was shocked to discover that there was no private hotel with that name. Realizing he had been duped, he immediately lodged a complaint with the police.
Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that the website used by the fraudsters was fake and are actively investigating the case. This incident serves as a reminder for both tourists and locals to exercise caution when making online payments and to verify the authenticity of websites before conducting any financial transactions.
As the number of online scams continues to rise, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of offers that appear too good to be true. Taking simple measures, such as double-checking the legitimacy of websites and verifying contact information, can go a long way in preventing falling victim to cyberfraud.
FAQ Section
1. What happened to Tristan Bake in Mumbai?
Tristan Bake, a German national and tourist guide, fell victim to a hotel booking scam in Mumbai. He lost Rs 9,270 during the process.
2. How did Tristan Bake become a victim?
Bake searched online for hotels in Mumbai and found a website named Sahyadri State Guest House. He contacted the provided phone number and spoke with a person named Abhishek who claimed to be affiliated with the guest house. Abhishek told Bake to make an online payment to secure a room, and Bake transferred Rs 4,500. Later, Abhishek demanded an additional payment of 6% GST, promising to refund the initial amount once it was made. Bake made the second payment of Rs 4,770. However, upon arriving at Sahyadri Guest House, Bake realized it was not a legitimate hotel and had been scammed.
3. What action did Tristan Bake take after discovering the scam?
Bake lodged a complaint with the police after realizing that he had been duped.
4. What is being done to address the incident?
Law enforcement authorities confirmed that the website used by the fraudsters was fake and are actively investigating the case.
5. What lesson can be learned from this incident?
This incident serves as a reminder for both tourists and locals to exercise caution when making online payments and to verify the authenticity of websites before conducting any financial transactions.
Definitions:
– Cyberfraud: The act of engaging in fraudulent activities online or through digital means.
– Scam: A deceptive scheme or fraudulent activity designed to trick or deceive someone into giving away their money or personal information.
Related Links:
– Common Fraud Schemes
– Common Scams and Frauds