Fake hospitality firms fleece investors

- The companies lay a trap by employing youngsters to secure personal details by offering lucky draw coupons
- While some do not fall for their enticements, others end up paying huge amounts of money for the services they do not enjoy

Hyderabad: The next time you visit a shopping mall do not entertain youngsters who provide lucky draw coupons and insist on other details like name, contact number, marital status etc, as this could be a trap laid by some companies that sound like international brands, but indulge in unethical practices by offering hospitality services in their estates and resorts across the country.

Their modus operandi includes engaging youngsters outside big shopping malls to get the details of the prospect by offering some lucky draw coupon. Within couple of days, they invite the couple claiming that they were the lucky couple who won a gift from their company, and for claiming the gift they must visit in person at a particular hotel.

Those who fall in trap visit the hotel and get persuaded to pay for the services they offer on membership. While some of them, who do not pay heed to their enticements, leave with a paltry gift after three to four hours of brainstorming session.

“I was invited in a similar fashion to a hotel opposite to Begumpet’s Shopper Stop. I paid Rs 75,000 so that I can enjoy the offers during honeymoon vacation. But I felt cheated as there was no service. I have been trying to get my money back for last three months, but of no avail. Hence, I approached Consumer Dispute Redressal Cell,” said Robin, a BPO employee.

The Alternative Consumer Dispute Redressal Cell where scores of complaints have landed in the recent months also remains helpless, as in spite of summoning the company’s representatives for several times, they have failed to appear for the weekly settlement hearings.

At least three complaints were made against a well-known company in the hospitality industry, which claims to have been providing service for the last two to three decades.

Some of the victims, who include housewives, software employees and government employees, had paid close to Rs 2 lakh each. And lodged a complaint after feeling cheated. Most of the victims find themselves helpless, as they already had signed the bond paper after being convinced by the sophisticated presentation during hotel session.

One of the women victim’s recently held a dharna in front of concerned company’s office and also threatened to commit suicide. These complainants, numbering about five to 10, have decided to fight unitedly to ensure the case is resolved. After these company representatives have failed to turn up, the complainants are now being asked to approach Consumer Forum in Nampally by the officials running the Cell. However, they remain pessimistic about results, as it may prolong it further.

“We shall be making unified fight against these companies which have cheated us. We will not give up,” said another complainant on the condition of anonymity.

Responding to the issue, Commissioner of Civil Supplies & Principal Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department C V Anand said the complainants can approach consumer forum for redressal, where the officials concerned will take cognisance.

While the kind of offence comes under white collar, the victims will have to take a normal route of knocking on the doors of local police station first.

“First, they will have to file complaint at the nearest police station and if quantum is more than Rs 75 lakh, then Central Crime Station will take up the matter,” said Avinash Mohanty, DCP, Detective Department.

Md Nizamuddin