Bilaspur Holiday Package Scam: Firm Flees After Alleged 50 Lakh Fraud

Victims allege Clubriant Hospitality cheated dozens at Magneto Mall through fake gift vouchers and holiday package offers.

In a major fraud case reported from Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur, a travel firm operating out of a premium mall has allegedly decamped after duping scores of residents. The company, identified as Clubriant Hospitality Private Limited, reportedly lured victims with promises of free gifts and lucrative holiday packages before shutting down its operations overnight.

While initial police complaints account for over ₹8 lakh, victims gathered at the site claim the total swindled amount could range between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore. The Civil Line police have registered an FIR against 16 individuals, including the company’s directors and staff.

Trapped by the ‘Lucky Draw’ bait

The fraud came to light when Amit Gupta, a local resident, approached the police. Gupta stated that he received a phone call on February 20 informing him that his name had been selected in a lucky draw. He was asked to collect his prize from Office No. 415, located on the fourth floor of Magneto Mall.

Upon reaching the office, Gupta was given a high-pressure sales pitch regarding "unmissable" holiday memberships. Enticed by the offers, he transferred ₹25,000 on February 27, followed by another ₹50,000 under the pretext of ticket booking and processing fees.

Office found locked as staff vanished

The suspicion grew when the promised travel details and vouchers failed to arrive via email. When Gupta tried contacting the representatives, their phones were switched off. On April 24, he visited the mall only to find the office locked.

Sources familiar with the matter said that nearly 20 other victims were already present at the mall entrance, realizing they had been duped in a similar fashion. The firm had promised seamless bookings but disappeared as soon as the collection targets were met.

Initial probe reveals multi-city network

Preliminary investigations suggest a well-organized racket. Apart from Amit Gupta, other victims include Sushant Kumar (₹76,000), Rohit Sharma (₹1.28 lakh), and Dr. Sharad Karnewar (₹1.10 lakh). Police officials noted that the scam followed a consistent pattern of targeting salaried professionals and credit card holders.

Further inquiries revealed that the gang did not limit its operations to Bilaspur. The firm allegedly operated similar desks at Magneto Mall in Raipur and Surya Mall in Bhilai, indicating a wider network across Chhattisgarh’s major urban hubs.

Police name 16 in FIR

Following the outcry, Civil Line police have booked the main operator, Nagesh Balasaheb Sakhre, and his associate Shrimant Ram Khande. The FIR also names 14 other employees, including Kiran Muni, Imran Ansari, Sahil Thakur, and Muskan Gupta, among others, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating.

Local authorities confirmed that teams are being formed to track the digital footprints of the transactions and locate the accused, who are believed to have fled the state.

Potential for higher fraud figures

"We are currently documenting the statements of those who have come forward," a senior officer involved in the probe said. "Given the duration the office was functional, we expect the number of victims to rise significantly."

Authorities have urged other citizens who may have invested in schemes by Clubriant Hospitality to report to the Civil Line police station. For now, the mall management is also being questioned regarding the lease agreements and credentials provided by the firm while renting the office space.

Highway Seizure Row

A suspected Guna hawala case has triggered fresh controversy in Madhya Pradesh after allegations surfaced that police personnel seized ₹1 crore in cash from a vehicle and later returned a portion under questionable circumstances.

The incident reportedly took place on National Highway-46 near the Ruthiyai checkpost in Guna, raising serious concerns about procedural lapses and possible misconduct.

Cash Recovery Details

According to initial information, police intercepted a Gujarat-registered Scorpio vehicle during routine night checking between Thursday and Friday.

During the search, officials allegedly recovered around ₹1 crore in cash from the vehicle. Sources indicated that the occupants were taken aside for questioning after the recovery, as per standard protocol in suspected hawala transactions.

However, what followed has now become the centre of the controversy.

Alleged Deal Struck

Sources familiar with the matter claimed that instead of following due legal process, an informal ‘settlement’ was allegedly reached between the police team and the vehicle occupants.

It is alleged that police personnel retained ₹20 lakh from the seized amount and returned ₹80 lakh to the occupants, allowing them to leave without formal action.

The claims, if proven, point to a serious breach of law enforcement procedures in handling suspected financial crimes.

IPS Call Twist

The situation reportedly took a dramatic turn after a call was made by a senior IPS officer from Gujarat.

Following the intervention, the police team is said to have returned the ₹20 lakh that had allegedly been retained earlier. The sequence of events has intensified scrutiny and raised questions about external influence in policing matters.

Officials have not confirmed the identity of the IPS officer or the nature of the communication.

Official Response

Superintendent of Police Ankit Soni acknowledged that the matter has come to his notice.

“Information regarding the incident has been received. However, no formal complaint has been filed so far,” he said, adding that appropriate action would follow if any wrongdoing is established.

The vehicle owner has reportedly denied the allegations, further complicating the inquiry process.

Background Context

The case has drawn comparisons with a recent incident in Seoni district, where allegations of irregularities in handling seized cash had surfaced.

Such cases fall under the broader ambit of hawala operations, which involve illegal money transfers outside formal banking channels. Authorities usually follow strict seizure, documentation, and legal procedures in such matters.

Any deviation from protocol can attract departmental action as well as criminal investigation.

Impact and Concerns

The alleged incident has sparked concern among officials and the public over transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

Experts say such allegations, even at a preliminary stage, can undermine trust in policing systems and complicate efforts to curb financial crimes.

The case is also being seen as part of a broader pattern flagged in recent India News Update reports involving enforcement lapses in sensitive financial matters.

Next Steps Ahead

Senior officials from the Gwalior range are closely monitoring developments and may visit Guna to oversee the inquiry.

An internal probe is expected to examine CCTV footage, checkpost logs, and personnel deployment records to establish the sequence of events.

If substantiated, the findings could lead to disciplinary action against those involved and possibly a formal criminal case.

The Guna hawala case remains under scrutiny as authorities assess the facts in what is emerging as a significant Latest News Today development with wider implications for policing standards in the state.