Kolkata: The detective department of Kolkata Police has launched a probe into an alleged fake website that has been duping tourists by offering fake helicopter rides to Digha. Tourists duped through the website have claimed that the accused were using state government emblems to make the service appear authentic.
The incident came to light after a resident of North 24 Parganas, Pradeep Haldar, reported the matter to the police recently.
According to Haldar, a few years ago, the state transport department had launched a special helicopter service to Digha. The flights were to take off from the aerodrome in Behala. Flights were also proposed to Malda and Balurghat. However, the service was discontinued after a brief period.
Spotting the opportunity, fraudsters floated fake agencies to offer the service that no longer existed. Haldar was one of the victims who tried to book helicopter tickets through this fake agency.
Haldar and two of his friends had tried to book a flight to Digha and were asked to pay Rs 9,000. Though he claimed to have made the payment, the tickets did not arrive. He was then asked to pay another Rs 11,000 in insurance. When the tickets still did not arrive, he realised he had been duped. Haldar then complained to the cyber cell of Basirhat Police and the anti-fraud section of Kolkata Police.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/fraudsters-dupe-tourists-with-chopper-ride-promise/articleshow/87407445.cms
