Navratri Fraud Alert: Ahmedabad Police Register Case Over Fake Online Garba Passes
Ahmedabad: As the city gears up for the vibrant Navratri festivities, a sophisticated cyber-fraud operation targeting one of Ahmedabad’s most popular Garba events, “Anant Brahmand,” has come to light. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police have launched a formal investigation after discovering that unidentified scammers were peddling counterfeit event passes to unsuspecting revelers.
The fraud, which unfolded between mid-August and mid-October, involved the systematic impersonation of legitimate event organizers. A 41-year-old manager representing the Anant Brahmand organizing team filed the FIR after discovering that the company’s corporate identity was being weaponized to deceive the public.
The Modus Operandi
The perpetrators adopted a multi-layered approach to gain the trust of their victims. By setting up a fraudulent Instagram account under the handle “veer.rajjputtt” and using a specific mobile number (ending in 808), the scammers presented themselves as official representatives of the Garba venue.
To add a layer of perceived authenticity, the fraudsters went as far as creating a deceptive email address designed to mimic the company’s official domain. Using these channels, they circulated promotional content featuring the authentic logos and branding of Anant Brahmand Garba.
The scam relied on the allure of heavy discounts. While official ticket prices for the high-profile event generally range between ₹4,000 and ₹10,000, the scammers offered significantly lower rates to attract buyers. Victims were directed to transfer money into unauthorized accounts, in exchange for which they received sophisticated-looking, yet entirely fake, QR codes and confirmation emails.
Investigation and Police Action
The operation began to unravel when regular patrons and eagle-eyed customers reached out to the actual management team to verify the suspicious discount offers. Upon confirming that no such deals were being offered, the management realized that their brand was being exploited and immediately escalated the matter to the authorities.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police have since registered an FIR, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Officials are now tracking the digital trail left by the scammers, including the bank accounts used to collect the illicit payments.
Advisory for Navratri Revelers
In light of the incident, law enforcement authorities have issued a stern warning to the public. Dr. Lavina Sinha, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Ahmedabad Cyber Crime, emphasized the importance of caution during the festive season.
“Citizens must exercise extreme vigilance and avoid purchasing event passes from unknown social media profiles or unverified individuals,” Dr. Sinha stated. “All transactions regarding high-profile events should only be conducted through official websites and verified booking links to ensure the safety of your money and data.”
The police have urged anyone who has encountered suspicious links or fallen victim to similar ticket scams to report the incident immediately. Victims are encouraged to contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit their nearest police station to assist in the ongoing investigation and help prevent further exploitation of festive shoppers.
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