Police save septuagenarian Calangute couple from 25-year holiday plan con
Amid a surge in cases of cybercriminals targeting the elderly population, a septuagenarian couple from Calangute has been saved by Anjuna police from a holiday package scam, being sold as a deal spanning 25 years.
Anjuna police have recovered Rs 6 lakh for the couple.
The couple, who had purchased a Maruti Suzuki Swift in Oct 2024, received a call in the first week of April 2025 from a woman claiming to be from 'Maruti company'. She informed the couple that they are 'lucky customers', and that a gift voucher was waiting for them at a starred Anjuna hotel.
Despite being busy with Easter preparations, the couple eventually went to the hotel due to the caller's persistence.
At the hotel, they met two male representatives from a 'Delhi-based event management company offering holiday packages'.
These individuals persuaded the couple to purchase a 25-year holiday package, including flights and 5-star international stays, for Rs 6 lakh.
The fraudsters took Rs 26,000 as the first instalment via a debit card, noted their credit card details, and told the couple that the remaining Rs 5,74,000 would be paid through monthly instalments of Rs 25,000.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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The couple considered the package appealing as their four children reside in Dubai.
Ten days later, in May, while the couple was visiting their son in Dubai, they tried to contact the company but received no response.
Subsequently, they received a bank statement indicating a due amount of Rs 5,74,000 on their credit card, with a penalty threat.
Frightened, the couple cancelled their Dubai trip and returned to Goa. Their son contacted the Goa police helpline, and the couple filed a complaint with Anjuna police.
PSI Swapnil Naik, the investigating officer, contacted the hotel for details of the event management firm's payment. Police obtained details of two bank accounts and promptly ordered them frozen.
The swift police action led the alleged accused to contact the couple and return the full Rs 6 lakh in the presence of police.
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