Ahmedabad: A reputed travel company in Ahmedabad has accused a former associate of defrauding over ₹33.87 lakh by collecting payments from customers under the company’s name and diverting the funds into her own account. The company filed a police complaint on Thursday.
The complainant, Alapbhai Ajaybhai Modi (46), a resident of Vastrapur and associated with Ajay Modi Travels Pvt Ltd, stated that the accused, Unnati Vaibhavbhai Patel, proprietor of Unnati Enterprises, had been working with the company on a commission basis since 2022.
Modi said that initially, Patel had approached the company seeking a franchise, which was declined. However, both parties verbally agreed that Patel would refer customers for flight and tour bookings to the company in exchange for a commission.
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The complaint mentions that the arrangement operated smoothly for nearly three years, with Patel routing bookings to the company and receiving commission payments. The alleged fraud came to light after several customers approached the company seeking refunds for cancelled flight tickets, prompting an internal inquiry.
Modi alleged that Patel opened a bank account in the name of Unnati Enterprises at a private bank in Gandhinagar and generated a QR code that deceptively displayed the name Ajay Modi Travels Pvt Ltd. Customers making payments for bookings believed they were paying the travel company, while the money was actually credited to Patel’s account.
The complainant further said that in April 2025, a person identified as Nileshbhai Mahendrabhai Patel, associated with the accused, informed the company about these transactions and commission payouts. Following this, Modi claimed that Patel admitted to receiving ₹38.97 lakh from customers using the firm’s name and returned a portion of it in instalments.
However, Modi alleged that Patel failed to repay the remaining dues. The company had to bear losses and refund customers to protect its reputation.
The complaint states that Patel misused the company’s goodwill, provided misleading information to bank officials while setting up the QR code, and dishonestly diverted customer payments.
Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered and an investigation is underway to verify the financial transactions and determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.
Experts advise that in such cases, verifying the credentials and bank details of any partner or agent before making payments is crucial.
This incident highlights the rising concern of financial fraud targeting businesses in Ahmedabad. Experts note that the misuse of QR codes and digital payment channels is increasingly common, making it essential for companies to exercise extra caution.
During the ongoing investigation, authorities will assess how Patel exploited the company’s name and how many customers were defrauded. For customers, this serves as a warning to always confirm official sources and account details when making digital payments.
The probe into this travel scam in Ahmedabad is expected to not only result in legal action against the accused but also serve as a lesson for other businesses to stay vigilant in managing digital transactions and monitoring their agents.
