New Delhi, Jan 21 (Agency) A senior software engineer who allegedly duped tourists by selling fake online tickets for Taj Mahal was arrested from Uttarakhand, police said on Friday. The accused, identified as Sandeep Chand, is a B.Tech in Computer Science and working in a software company in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida as a senior software engineer. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police received a complaint from the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture that tourists were being cheated by creating fake websites for online ticket booking for the historical monuments. One of the incidents mentioned was booking of online tickets to visit Taj Mahal in Agra through a website, said Manoj C, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch Delhi.
The complainant stated that the victim booked the ticket, but the ticket could not be generated, and the amount was deducted from his bank account. A case was registered regarding this matter and investigation initiated. During investigation, technical details of the registration and user of the alleged website were collected and based on which technical surveillance was mounted on the alleged. The accused was frequently changing his location. Finally police apprehended Sandeep Chand from Champawat, Uttrakhand, said Manoj C. During interrogation, he told police that due to a lockdown his job was not going well. During internet surfing, he got an idea for easy money by creating a fake website. Since he is a software engineer by profession, and having complete technical knowledge, indulged in committing crime. Further investigation is being done with regards to the number of victims and alleged amount cheated by him and the number of such fake websites created and used by him is in progress.