Senior Citizens in Mohali Allegedly Duped of Rs 25 Lakh in Fake Foreign Tour Scam
In a distressing incident in Mohali, several senior citizens, including a former secretary to the Government of India and retired defence officers, were allegedly defrauded of nearly Rs 25 lakh through a deceptive foreign tour package to Vietnam and Cambodia. Police have registered a case against a Gurugram-based couple following a formal complaint by the victims, who reside in the Falcon View Society in Sector 66A.
Victims Include High-Profile Retirees
The complainants comprise notable individuals such as former secretary Rajiv Dutt, Group Captain Kuldeep Singh, Colonel Hardev Singh, Colonel N K Kohli, Wing Commander Balwinder Singh, and other elderly residents. This group, many with distinguished careers, fell prey to what appears to be a well-orchestrated scam targeting vulnerable seniors.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to the complaint, in May 2025, a tour package titled "Travel with Rajiv" was proposed for a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. The accused, identified as Rajiv Parameswaran, allegedly organized a detailed presentation through his representative at the clubhouse of Falcon View Society to promote the tour. During this event, participants were promised an attractive package that included international travel, accommodation in 4-star hotels, domestic flights, meals, visas, and travel insurance, with the cost fixed at Rs 1.40 lakh per person.
Encouraged by the presentation, 18 residents agreed to join the tour and made payments through various modes, including bank transfers and other transactions. However, in August 2025, the accused informed them that the travel dates had to be changed due to a flight schedule alteration. Seven participants who were unwilling to travel on the revised dates requested refunds and were issued post-dated cheques.
Tour Cancellation and Bounced Cheques
Subsequently, the entire tour was cancelled, and refund cheques were issued to the remaining participants. When the victims deposited these cheques in their bank accounts, they reportedly bounced, as only about Rs 1,500 was found in the account linked to the payments. This discovery revealed the fraudulent nature of the scheme, leaving the seniors financially devastated.
Financial Trail and Police Action
During preliminary enquiries, it emerged that a significant portion of the amount, around Rs 24.99 lakh collected from the victims, was allegedly transferred to the bank account of the wife of the accused, Anjali Parameswaran. Police have registered a case against Rajiv Parameswaran and his wife under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is ongoing to trace the funds and bring the perpetrators to justice.
This incident highlights the growing risk of financial fraud targeting senior citizens, urging authorities to enhance vigilance and public awareness. The victims, many of whom served the nation, now face not only monetary loss but also emotional distress, underscoring the need for stricter regulations in the travel industry.
