Ahmedabad Railway Station Scams: TTE Impersonator, Passenger Card Fraud During Holi Rush
Two distinct cases of fraud targeting passengers during the busy Holi travel period have emerged at Ahmedabad railway station, prompting authorities to issue urgent warnings against touts and impostors operating at the facility.
Sanitation Worker Duped by Fake TTE Impersonator
In the first incident, a 27-year-old sanitation worker employed at an automobile plant in Sanand filed a complaint alleging he was cheated by a man posing as a travelling ticket examiner (TTE). According to the detailed complaint, the victim arrived at Ahmedabad railway station on March 7 with the intention of booking tickets to Banda, Uttar Pradesh, for himself and two companions.
While the victim was completing the reservation form, a man dressed in a white shirt and black trousers approached him and offered to arrange confirmed tickets for an additional fee of Rs 50 per ticket. The imposter claimed to be a legitimate TTE and successfully gained the victim's trust through his convincing appearance and mannerisms.
The fraudulent TTE collected Rs 2,000 from the victim and subsequently sent a PDF of what appeared to be legitimate tickets through WhatsApp. However, on March 11, officials from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) informed the victim that the ticket was completely fake and that the PNR number displayed on it was invalid.
Police investigators later showed the victim CCTV footage from the railway station, which enabled him to positively identify the suspect. This identification led to the suspect's detention by authorities. Investigators revealed that the accused had allegedly been creating counterfeit e-tickets and distributing them to unsuspecting passengers as part of a systematic cheating operation.
Cook Targeted in Elaborate Passenger Card Scam
In a separate but equally concerning incident, a 32-year-old cook traveling home to Bihar for Holi celebrations reported being cheated by two unidentified men at Ahmedabad railway station. The victim had arrived at the station from Amreli and was waiting to board the Sabarmati-Darbhanga Express.
During his wait, one man initiated a conversation with him while an accomplice staged an elaborate story about being fined by police authorities. The duo worked together to convince the victim that he needed to obtain a special "passenger card" to avoid similar fines during his journey.
Under the pretext of verification for this non-existent passenger card, the suspects persuaded the victim to hand over his ATM card, mobile phone valued at approximately Rs 30,000, and a significant amount of cash. Once they had possession of these valuable items, both suspects fled the scene, leaving the victim stranded without his belongings.
Authorities Issue Stern Warning to Travelers
Railway authorities have responded to these incidents by issuing strong warnings to all passengers, particularly during peak travel periods like the Holi rush. Officials emphasize that legitimate railway staff will never demand extra fees for ticket confirmation or request personal belongings for verification purposes.
Passengers are advised to only purchase tickets through authorized railway counters, official websites, or recognized travel agents. Authorities have also increased surveillance and patrols at Ahmedabad railway station to deter similar fraudulent activities and protect travelers from financial exploitation.
The Railway Protection Force has urged victims of such scams to immediately report incidents to station authorities or contact the RPF helpline for prompt assistance. These cases highlight the importance of vigilance and caution when interacting with strangers at transportation hubs, especially during festive seasons when criminal elements often target travelers.
