How To Stay Safe From Honeymoon Fraud?

Honeymoon fraud is a one of the serious issues of the society, in which couples plan their vacation through online platforms or travel agencies. By this travel agency, honeymoon couples make their tour plans easily without any effort. These travel agencies provide exclusive packages to attract the couples. Sometimes these agencies give accurate packages. But there are some agencies that are either fake or fraud. The couples many times did not identify the fake or fraud agencies, they became the part of their scam. There are various ways of fraud and many laws are in existence to avoid these frauds.

What Is Honeymoon Fraud?

Honeymoon fraud means when newlyweds couple plan their trip through tour and travel agencies. They get a good and reasonable package for their trip. But there are many companies who are doing fraud with couples. Some agencies are not even verified but they are in existence for making fraud. 

What Are The Types Of Honeymoon Fraud?

• Hidden Charges: At the time of booking, agents provide details amount inclusive but in reality they hide charges of breakfast, transports, etc. 
• Fake Booking: They make fake bookings of the client, confirmation of booking are fakes due to which couples lost their hard earned money.
• Non-Existent Resorts Or Hotels: The scammers book the hotels or resorts for the client that doesn’t exist.
• Cancellation Before On Last-Minute: Many times, agents cancel the booking at the last stage and give excuses and ask to pay more amounts for alternative booking.
• Setup Fake Agencies: Many times some sites are shown for online booking but after booking and payments, suddenly sites are not visible. 

How To Safeguard Yourself From Honeymoon Fraud?

•  Book the trip from a renounce or authentic agency.
• Before making the payment, contact the hotels and resorts and confirm your booking.
• Recheck the details of the deals, if it seems too cheap than the usual price.
• Check the reviews of the couples on the sites and cross check from multiple sources.
• There should be travel insurance which covers fraud.
• You can consult with other trusted agencies that can help you to plan and booking.
•  Clarify and ask all the hidden charges of the booking. 

By applying all these safeguards, you can easily save yourself from fraud and enjoy your trip.

Laws Related To Fraud In India?

Information Technology Act, 2000

• The section 66 said that if anyone engages in fraud by dishonest or fraudulent intent shall be liable for imprisonment up to 3 years or fine up to 5 lakh, or both.
• The section 66 A amended for the cybercrime offences
• The section 66 B provides punishment of online fraud up to 3 years or a fine up to 1 lakh, or both.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

• The section 318 deals with the cheating, whoever intends to dishonestly or defraud the person, shall be punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or fine or both.
• The section 319 deals with cheating by personation and is punished with up to 5 years.
• The section 338 deals with the forgery of valuable security, will, etc. shall be liable for life imprisonment, or which may extend to 10 years and shall be liable to fine.
• The section 336 deals with forgery and liable for up to imprisonment of 3 years and shall be liable to fine.
• The section 340 deals with forged documents or electronic records and using it as genuine.
• The section 316 deals with criminal breach of trust.

The consumer protection Act, 2019

• The section 6 prohibits unfair trade practices
• The section 9 allows consumers to file complaints against service providers for all the frauds.
• The section14 whoever is liable for fraud shall be punished with imprisonment and fines.

The Indian Contract Act,  1872

The section 14-17 deals with Fraud, Misrepresentation, Undue influence, etc. which cover under honeymoon fraud.

Consumer Forums:

• District Consumer Redressal Commissions.
• State Consumer Redressal Commissions.
• National Consumer Redressal Commissions.

CONCLUSION

Honeymoon fraud is an alarming issue that impacts on a large scale of the society. Due to which it causes financial loss to the couples who are planning their vacation by these agencies. To overcome this fraud, couples should be verified properly and researched carefully. When the travel agency booked hotels, couples should cross-check. If any doubt arises regarding the fake booking then immediately file a complaint, or approach the consumer forum. People must give actual reviews so viewers can easily identify the agency.

One can talk a lawyer from Lead India for any kind of legal support. Free online legal advice is offered in India by Lead India. Lead India offers free legal advice as well as the ability to ask experts online questions.