Delhi: Cab driver convinces US national of shutdown in city, dupes over Rs 90,000

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A 45-year-old taxi driver was arrested for allegedly duping a US national of USD1,294 (more than Rs 90,000), police said on Monday. George Vanmeter, who reached the IGI airport on October 18, was allegedly convinced by the driver-- Ram Preet, a resident of Geeta Colony, and his accomplices that there was a shutdown in the city due to festivals.

The victim was then taken to a fake travel agency where he was made to re-book his tour plan.

In his complaint, Vanmeter alleged that the taxi driver offered to take him to a hotel in Paharganj, where he had a booking, but later stopped near a road blocked by police barricades.

"He told the tourist that the roads are closed due to the festive season and took him to a fake tour agency in Connaught Place. The staff there told him that the city was closed and even connected him to an alleged representative of the hotel in Paharganj who told him that the property was closed," said Eish Singhal, DCP (New Delhi).

Not convinced, Vanmeter boarded an auto-rickshaw whose driver too reiterated that the hotel was closed due to a shutdown in the city.

"The accused then took the tourist to another fake tour agency in Gole Market where the staff helped the man book hotels in Jaipur and Agra," said Singhal. Vanmeter paid the money and went to Agra.

The fraud came to light after he reached Agra and called the Paharganj hotel asking for a refund. A case of cheating was registered at the Mandir Marg Police Station.

"We have arrested the taxi driver from his house in Geeta Colony. The other accused are absconding," police said.

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