PANAJI
The number of tourists allegedly duped by travel firms promising holiday packages is expected to rise as police widen their probe into the fraud case involving Beatrix Holidays Pvt Ltd and Go Life Vacation Pvt Ltd.
Investigators said more victims could come forward as details of the extent of the scam emerge and online financial transactions are scrutinised.
Panaji Police Inspector Vijaykumar Chodankar, who is investigating three FIRs registered at the Panaji police station, said efforts are underway to trace the money trail generated through online transactions between victims and the company. “The financial transactions are being traced and fixed. Investigations are in progress,” Chodankar said.
The owner-director of the company, Gaurish Shirodkar, is currently in the custody of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).
The case had come to light earlier this month and over half a dozen FIRs including the three at Panaji police station were registered involving cheating offences based on complaints from outstation tourists.
A resident of Thane had alleged that he paid Rs 1.5 lakh towards a holiday membership but neither received the promised services nor a refund. A Hyderabad woman claimed she was cheated of Rs 1.6 lakh after being persuaded to hand over her debit card and share OTPs during a purported eligibility check. Another complainant from Odisha alleged he lost Rs 60,000 after being lured by a lucky draw-linked holiday package that never materialised.
