Police bust fake travel agency in Kashmir capital

Police in Jammu and Kashmir busted a fake travel agency and arrested the main accused after receiving several complaints from the tourists, said an official.

On 20th of November 2015, an FIR number 01/2015 under section 2/32 Tourist Trade Act and 420 RPC was registered in Police Station TRC, Srinagar, against the travel agency “Sameer Tour & Travels”.

The agency, being run under a fake name Sameer Ahmed Bhat son of Assad-ul-lah Bhat resident of 82-Balgarden, Srinagar, had duped several tourists by promising them fake tour packages, he said.

During preliminary investigation, the official said, it came to light that the accused had opened a fake bank account in Union Bank of India, Court Road Srinagar by using fake identity.

The accused had also developed a fake website www.kashmirturismbooking.in and obtained three Sim cards of BSNL and Vodafone on fake documents.

“The main accused Umar Shah son of Ghulam Muhammad Shah resident of Kakowthal Kreeri, Baramulla was arrested. An amount of Rs 1.25 Lac, 01 Laptop, 01 smart phone, electoral cards and some documents, which were used by the accused in making fake travel agency and developing fake website, were recovered from his possession,” said the official.

A case FIR number 01/15 under section 465, 468, 201 RPC and 71, 74 IT Act was registered against the accused and investigation was taken up.

The accused was arrested and sent to Central Jail on judicial remand.