Hyderabad, 26 July
15 Arrested in Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud; 19 Victims Duped of ₹22 Lakh
In a major crackdown on financial fraud, the Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud case has led to the arrest of 15 people allegedly involved in cheating customers by offering fake luxury holiday packages. The accused, operating under the name The Pacific Holiday World, a unit of 4R Seasons Holidays Private Limited based in New Delhi, allegedly duped at least 19 people of nearly ₹22 lakh, police said on Saturday, July 25.
The arrests were made by the Gachibowli Police, who uncovered an organised scheme that lured customers with promises of discounted vacation memberships and five-star hotel stays across India.
How the Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud Operated
According to investigators, the Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud began with marketing executives approaching shoppers at popular malls and commercial establishments across Hyderabad.
The executives distributed free gift coupons and collected visitors’ mobile numbers by claiming they had won exclusive holiday benefits.
Victims were later contacted by phone and invited to promotional meetings held at luxury hotels, including the Radisson Hotel in Gachibowli.
During these meetings, company representatives allegedly persuaded customers to purchase premium holiday memberships by offering attractive discounts, complimentary gifts, and limited-time offers.
Victims Promised Luxury Holiday Packages
Police said customers were offered five-year and ten-year holiday membership plans that promised seven nights of accommodation at five-star resorts and hotels across India.
The packages reportedly started at ₹1.25 lakh, with representatives pressuring customers to make immediate payments to secure the promotional offers.
However, after receiving the money, the company allegedly failed to provide the promised holiday services. Many customers claimed that company representatives stopped responding to calls and messages once payments were completed.
Complaint Leads to Police Investigation
The Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud came to light after Vutturi Swaraj lodged a complaint with the Gachibowli Police on July 24.
According to the complaint, Swaraj paid ₹3.4 lakh for a holiday package during a promotional event at the Radisson Hotel on July 16. Despite making the payment, he allegedly did not receive the promised membership benefits, and company officials became unreachable.
Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and traced the accused to Sri Elite Apartments in Park Avenue Colony, Kondapur, where they were staying.
Fifteen Accused Arrested
Based on the investigation, Gachibowli Police arrested 15 individuals allegedly involved in the fraudulent operation.
The accused have been identified as:
- Mohammed Aqif
- Shivam Sharma
- Shanu Kumar
- Santosh Kumar
- Piyush
- Jay Singal
- Aparna Chouhan
- Shubham Shukla
- Mohit Chauhan
- Himanshi Nigam
- Anak Agarwal
- Ayush Bajpai
- Amit
- Pranav Pandey
- Prashant Kumar Karan
Police are investigating whether the accused carried out similar operations in other cities and whether additional victims may have been affected.
Nineteen Victims Allegedly Cheated of ₹22 Lakh
Investigators said that at least 19 customers fell victim to the Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud, collectively losing around ₹22 lakh.
Police are examining financial records, digital evidence, and company documents to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify any additional individuals involved.
Officials have urged anyone who purchased similar holiday memberships from the accused company and failed to receive the promised services to approach the Gachibowli Police and file a complaint.
Police Advise Public to Verify Holiday Membership Offers
Following the arrests, police advised the public to exercise caution before investing in expensive holiday memberships or travel packages offered through promotional events.
Authorities recommended verifying the company’s credentials, carefully reading contract terms, avoiding pressure-based sales tactics, and confirming customer reviews before making any advance payments.
The investigation into the Hyderabad Holiday Membership Fraud is ongoing, and police expect more details to emerge as the case progresses.