Arrest in Cyber Crime Case Involving Pan-India Fake Hotel Websites Racket.

Fake Websites of Hotels in Goa, Puri, Odisha and Shillong, Meghalaya for fraudulent purposeCase Details: The Cyber Crime Police Station had registered Case No. Crime No. 02/2025 u/s 318(4) 319(2) r/w 3(5) BNS & Sec. 66-C & 66-D of IT Act upon the complaint of General Manager of a Beach Resort, in Salcete - Goa, to the effect that unknown created complainant’s resorts fake website, brand name and lured their innocent customers thereby inducing them to transfer money into their fraudulent bank accounts of their fake website. Hence impersonated as complainants resort using computer sources. Arrest: – Following the details of the websites identified a person namely Mr. Lalit Khare, age 25yrs, r/o Maharajpur Road, New Bijali Ghar ke pass, Morena, Madhya Pradesh who created the fake website and also made payments to the Host, for creation of website. Accordingly crime branch team consisting of PI Prashal Dessai, PC 6893, S. Makandar and PC 8158, Prakash Uttkari apprehended the accused Mr. Lalit Khare, age 25yrs, r/o Maharajpur Road, New Bijali Ghar ke pass, Morena, Madhya Pradesh from Morena, MP.During interrogation with said accused, found seven more fake hotel websites created by him; 4 from Goa, 2 from Odisha and 1 from Meghalaya.During further investigation identified one Mr. Firoz Ahmad s/o. Rafik Ahmad r/o. Guna M.P. who made payment to the accused Mr. Lalit Khare for creation of fake hotel websites. He was served notice under BNSS and interrogation of said Firoz Ahmed let further investigation to Mewat, Rajasthan. Further investigation of the case is in progress.Accused Profile: - The accused is identified as Mr. Lalit Khare, age 25yrs, r/o Maharajpur Road, New Bijali Ghar ke pass, Morena, Madhya Pradesh, Arrested on 02/02/2025.Recovery: - One Laptop, One Mobile Phone. Modus Operandi – A fake website is created using name and photos of the Hotels and said website is linked to the google listing. Whenever someone searches on google for the particular hotel for booking purpose, they are taken to the fake website. A WhatsApp number is listed on said fake website, wherein fraudster chats with the victim impersonating as hotel staff and further makes the victim to transfer money into bank account provided by him, thereby cheating the victim in the name of hotel booking. Advisory to the public - The public is advised to be cautious while booking hotels online and to check if multiple websites exists of the particular hotel. Before transferring money, it is always advised to cross check with the person asking to transfer the money and a/c holders name and to immediately approach local police station or Cyber Crime PS, Ribandar.