The Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has uncovered a cyber fraud racket that duped hundreds of foreign nationals—primarily from the US, UK, and Canada—by exploiting airline refund systems through forged documents.
The scam was allegedly orchestrated by AVS Holidays, a company operating out of Kirti Nagar, Delhi, under the guise of a legitimate travel agency. The accused used search engine optimisation (SEO), social media promotions, and online ads to push fraudulent flight booking and cancellation services above legitimate providers in search results.
Once victims engaged with these ads, scammers collected sensitive financial information such as card numbers and CVVs. Tickets were booked in the victims’ names and later cancelled without their knowledge. Refunds were then claimed using forged medical and death certificates, impersonating the customers. In many cases, victims received only partial refunds after fictitious deductions—or none at all.
During a raid on June 24, police arrested the key accused, Akshay Sharma, and seized multiple forged documents, and other digital evidence. Preliminary forensic analysis revealed hundreds of forged documents used to facilitate the scam. Sharma confessed to running fake call centres under the front of a travel agency for several years.
An FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigations are ongoing to trace Sharma’s accomplices, follow the money trail, and coordinate with international law enforcement agencies.
Get in touch
