Instagram Reels Lure Youth into Villa Booking Scam in Pune; ₹36,000 Lost in Online Fraud
Instagram Reels Lure Youth into Villa Booking Scam in Pune; ₹36,000 Lost in Online Fraud
Pune, May 12, 2025 — A group of 22 youngsters from Pune fell victim to a villa booking scam after being lured by attractive Instagram reels and images. The total loss amounted to ₹36,000, exposing a growing trend of cyber fraud linked to fake hospitality pages on social media.
According to a report in Maharashtra Times, the incident occurred when the group booked a villa in Lonavala via an Instagram profile named @stayzuly, which showcased realistic photos, over 82,000 followers, and seemingly legitimate contact numbers. Initially, ₹3,000 was transferred as a booking advance, followed by a total of ₹18,000 in further payments to a bank account. The total villa cost was stated as ₹36,000.
However, upon reaching Lonavala, the group found themselves stranded. Their calls to the contact number went unanswered, and eventually the number was switched off. Later, they received a message claiming the booking was canceled due to a family emergency and were asked to share bank details for a refund—an obvious ploy to prolong the scam.
Determined to investigate, one of the complainants visited the villa address only to meet the real owner, who denied any Instagram-based advertising or booking arrangement. The owner revealed that several others had also been duped in similar fashion.
Cyber police have since urged citizens to be cautious while making online bookings, especially through social media platforms. They’ve also issued a list of precautions:
Tips to Avoid Online Booking Scams:
- Always book via verified websites and official apps.
- Cross-check reviews, location, and ownership details.
- Avoid transferring money through social media without proper verification.
- Keep screenshots and proof of all transactions.
Authorities have highlighted that villa scams are increasingly targeting popular destinations like Lonavala, Pawna, Mulshi, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Satara, Bhore-Ki Velhe, among others. Such incidents often affect youth groups, especially those from IT companies, booking weekend getaways.
“We booked the resort after seeing impressive reels on Instagram. But when we arrived, we realized we had been cheated. We lost our money and had to go through emotional distress,” said complainant Ranjay Sarkar.
Cyber police continue to investigate the case and have advised the public to stay alert and report suspicious social media accounts used for bookings.
