Ahmedabad: A 31-year-old cafe owner from Ambawadi in Ahmedabad lost Rs 29,505 after booking a family holiday through a fake website of a resort in Anand.According to an FIR registered with Bodakdev police on Wednesday, the businessman planned a family trip in June. While searching online for accommodation, his wife found a website claiming to offer bookings for the resort. On clicking the WhatsApp icon on the site, they were contacted by a man who introduced himself as the resort’s manager.The caller allegedly asked for a 50% advance payment and shared a personal QR code instead of an official business account. When the complainant questioned the use of a personal account, the accused claimed that all booking payments were initially received in his account before being transferred to the resort’s account.Believing the explanation, the complainant transferred Rs 7,375. After two more family members were added, the fraudster demanded Rs 12,295 more. He subsequently sought another Rs 9,835, assuring the complainant that the earlier payments would be refunded after the transaction was completed.After receiving a total of Rs 29,505 in three transactions, the accused stopped responding to calls and switched off his phone.The complainant later contacted the resort directly and discovered that no reservation was made. Following the complaint, Bodakdev police registered a case and launched an investigation.
