Metro India News | Hyderabad 

A resident of Kachiguda in Hyderabad was cheated of Rs 2.42 lakh in a fake online cruise booking and Lakshadweep permit fraud, police said.

The incident occurred on December 26, 2025, when the victim came across a website on Google claiming to offer cruise journeys to Kochi, Lakshadweep and Mumbai. Trusting the website, he booked a cruise package for four persons and paid an initial advance of Rs 23,680.

As he was unable to transfer the amount in a single transaction, the accused allegedly asked him to make multiple payments. Later, on the pretext of obtaining Lakshadweep permit letters, the victim was persuaded to pay additional amounts in several instalments, including charges for two children. The fraudsters repeatedly cited technical issues and assured him that the excess amount would be refunded at the time of checkout.

After collecting more money, the accused falsely claimed payment failures and cancelled the booking without any valid reason. They then demanded Rs 48,500 as cancellation charges, promising to refund the total amount thereafter. The victim was contacted through WhatsApp by persons posing as customer care executives of a well-known cruise operator.

In total, the victim suffered a wrongful loss of Rs 2,42,488 due to cheating and fraud. Police have advised the public to book travel packages only through official websites or authorised agents, avoid making multiple advance payments, and not trust claims of technical glitches or assured refunds. Cyber fraud victims are urged to report immediately by calling the 1930 helpline or logging complaints at www.cybercrime.gov.in.