Baku Tour Scam: Doctors lose ₹2 crores in fraud
The dream of visiting a scenic destination turned into a bad dream when 72 doctors fell prey to a tour scam in Baku, Azerbaijan. This fraud of ₹2 crores, which happened in the name of a medical conference, not only caused financial loss to the doctors but also harmed their trust and dignity.
How did the scam start?
In November 2024, a grand event of Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) was organized in a five-star hotel in Powai, Mumbai. During this event, a person named Sharad Hegde met the doctors, introducing himself as the founder of IRIS Global Media. He claimed that he is an expert in organizing professional international tours, especially for medical professionals.
Hegde made a tempting offer for Baku tour:
- Destination: Baku, Azerbaijan
- Cost: ₹1.5 lakh per participant (travel, visa and accommodation included)
The doctors collected ₹2.14 crore by trusting him on the basis of his presentations and coordination of WhatsApp group and paid him.
As soon as he left for departure, everything was over!
When the departure date of the tour almost came, then the doctors came to know that neither they had tickets nor visa confirmations. Hegde kept making excuses and then suddenly disappeared. Only a few people got partial refund of ₹13.10 lakh, rest all got only loss and disappointment.
FIR and Legal Action
The doctors filed an FIR in Dadar police station, which is under these sections:
- Section 318(3): Cheating
- Section 316(2): Criminal breach of trust (according to Indian Justice Code, 2023)
No arrests have been made so far, but police investigation is going on.
Points to learn from Baku Scam
This fraud shows that even educated people can get caught in the trap of fraudsters. To avoid such incidents, follow these tips:
- Verify Travel Operators: Check the company credentials and take reviews of past clients.
- Avoid Group Payments: Prefer individual bookings through authorized agencies.
- Use Government Resources: Use the resources of Ministry of Tourism or cybercrime.gov.in to report scams.
Baku: Dream Destination or Fraud?
The Baku which was a symbol of luxury and professional retreat has now become a representation of scam and fraud. This incident is not just a financial loss, but also an issue of trust and dignity. This is a reminder for doctors that it is important to cross-check everything, no matter how impressive someone’s background may seem.
Conclusion: Waiting for Justice
The victims of Baku scam are now neither waiting for a flight nor a vacation, they are only waiting for justice and closure. This is a big challenge for law enforcement, and it is important for tour operators to rebuild trust.
This case teaches us that vigilance and awareness are important for every professional, no matter which industry he belongs to. There is only one way to stop fraud – understand everything in detail and verify it before trusting it.