Mohali Travel Agent Sai Travels Booked for Issuing Fake International Air Tickets , Probe Reveals Repeat Offences

A fresh case of travel fraud has surfaced in Mohali after IT City police booked Deepak Raj, proprietor of Sai Travels, for allegedly duping customers by issuing forged international air tickets. The case was filed on the directions of the SSP Mohali following a formal complaint and a departmental inquiry.

According to the FIR, complainant Vishal Sharma, a resident of Harmilap Nagar, Baltana, approached Sai Travels to book a ticket for international travel. On February 19, he finalized a booking from Delhi to Vancouver, Canada, and paid ₹76,035 using his credit card.

The following day, Deepak Raj sent him what appeared to be an e-ticket issued by Cathay Pacific. However, Sharma became doubtful after examining the details and called the airline’s official helpline for confirmation. Airline representatives informed him that the PNR and ticket number were fictitious, and no such booking existed in their system.

A subsequent inquiry by the Deputy Superintendent of Police revealed that even after receiving full payment, the accused had not made any legitimate booking. Instead, he allegedly fabricated and issued forged ticket documents to mislead the customer. Cathay Pacific also provided written confirmation to investigators stating that the ticket shared with the complainant was not generated by the airline.

Further verification by the district magistrate’s office found that Sai Travels was operating without a valid licence, in violation of state regulations. Police sources also confirmed that the accused had earlier been named in a similar fraud case in Ludhiana, raising concerns that he may be a habitual offender targeting unsuspecting travelers.

IT City police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. The investigation has been assigned to ASI Rajinder Singh, who said efforts are underway to trace the accused.

Police officials added that they are also working to identify other potential victims who may have been issued forged tickets by the same agency. Authorities have urged residents to verify the credentials of travel agents before making payments, especially for international travel bookings.