Tour operator in Ahmedabad flees with crores after promising Dubai visas, tickets to travellers

Dozens of travellers were left in the lurch after a tour and travel operator vanished with their money without providing them visas or tickets. Customers visiting the office of Vacation Holidays, near Shivranjani crossroads, in Satellite on Thursday found it locked and its operator missing. The firm had promised Dubai tickets and visas to the customers, but allegedly fled with crores of rupees.

Crowds gathered outside the closed office late into the night, with several filing complaints at Anandnagar and Satellite police stations. Victims said they were assured confirmed bookings but were left empty-handed at the last moment.

Initial accounts suggest losses ranging from lakhs in individual cases to over ₹30 lakh in group bookings. One group reported losing ₹7 lakh, while others said they were duped of ₹3 lakh to ₹20 lakh each. Payment receipts had been issued, but tickets and visas never arrived.

Videos of the locked office quickly went viral on social media, intensifying public outrage. Even the lone peon at the site claimed he had not been paid his salary.

Police said multiple complaints have been received and an investigation is underway to trace the absconding operator.