Ahmedabad: A 47-year-old businessman and several others, allegedly promised foreign trips by a travel firm, has lost Rs 10 lakh. Kunal Parikh, who runs an industrial lubricant business near Raipur Darwaza, and lives in the Anandnagar area, filed a complaint on Monday. The complaint states that Parikh came across an advertisement on Instagram in early Jan, allegedly posted by a firm called Trip Saathi Tours and Travels’ and offering attractively priced international trips.Parikh contacted the number mentioned in the advertisement and was introduced to a man he identified as Rahil Pankhaniya, who claimed to be the owner of the firm which had its office at Shivalik Shilp-2 in the Satellite area. During a meeting on Jan 5, Pankhaniya allegedly offered an eight-night, nine-day Vietnam package for Parikh’s elderly parents at Rs 2.74 lakh, assuring hotel and flight bookings upon payment.Parikh transferred Rs 1 lakh on Jan 8 and another Rs 1 lakh on Jan 16 via NEFT. However, when he attempted to pay the balance amount, Pankhaniya’s phone was switched off and the office was found locked. Other customers were also waiting outside with similar grievances.Police said other complainants included Parth Kakkad, who allegedly paid Rs 1.23 lakh for a Dubai package; Forum Shah, who paid Rs 3.12 lakh and Manish Sajwani, who paid Rs 3.96 lakh. None of them were sent abroad, nor was the money refunded.Satellite police registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Pankhaniya and launched a probe.
