More than 500 touts operating around Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport have been arrested in 2024 for duping passengers on the pretext of unauthorized services, Delhi Police said.
According to data shared by the Delhi Police, there was a 48 per cent increase in arrests made under the Delhi Prevention of Touting and Abusing Tourists Act compared to last year.
In the year 2023, 264 arrests and 96 vehicles were confiscated, 540 touts were arrested and 254 vehicles used as illegal taxis were seized.
“Touts often prey on unsuspecting passengers, especially at night, posing as pre-paid taxi drivers and offering false promises of cheap services. These deceptive practices expose passengers to harassment, financial exploitation and security risks,” said Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI ) said.
Among those arrested are 373 from Delhi, 107 from Uttar Pradesh, 32 from Haryana and 11 from Bihar. Others arrested are from Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Statistics show that police made preventive arrests of repeat offenders 41 times in 2024 compared to zero in 2023.
Cases of Fraud by Foreigners
According to the police, the brokers who arrive late at night with foreign nationals take cheaper services than the market price.
In one major incident of the year, a foreign national was defrauded of Rs 98,700 by promising to take him to Varanasi.
“The tout falsely informed the passengers that Delhi was witnessing massive protests, leading to the closure of all hotels and public transport. The tout and his three accomplices promised to make alternative arrangements for them,” said DCP Rangnani.
But, brokers Credit card charges The foreigner took 98 thousand 700 rupees to take him to Varanasi and left him on the way. “Within 24 hours, the police arrested four accused, including mastermind Amit Malhotra. Further, they froze the bank accounts of the suspects, ensuring recovery of the victims’ hard-earned money,” DCP Rangnani said. said
Another foreign national was duped by touts at the IGI airport on his first trip to Delhi, charging him Rs 2,500 for a taxi service to CR Park. The police said that both the accused were arrested within a few hours of the incident.
“24-hour anti-tout teams, plainclothes police personnel, joint operations with RAXA (Airport Security Group) and DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) and deployment of QRTs (Quick Reaction Teams) are some of the measures we have taken. To curb the menace of touting near the IGI airport,” DCP Rangnani said.