'AI is a big topic...': How Indian-origin elderly couple lost £2,500 in UK flight ticket scam; learned truth only at Heathrow check-in desk

An elderly Indian-origin couple from Leicester have spoken out after losing more than £2,500 to an online flight booking scam, urging others to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated fraudsters.

Dinesh Jansari, 80, and his wife Shashikala, 78, had been looking forward to travelling to Ahmedabad after an eight-year gap when their plans unravelled at the check-in desk at Heathrow Airport. It was there they were told the tickets they had purchased were fake.

The couple had believed they were securing a bargain fare through what appeared to be a legitimate booking platform linked to the well-known travel brand Expedia. However, the process soon shifted to a WhatsApp conversation with an account named “Fly Expedia”, which they later discovered was fraudulent.


“It was a very good deal, and the name said Expedia, which my husband had heard about. I don’t know how the scammer got his number, but he started chatting on WhatsApp, and my husband booked with them,” Shashikala said.

Shock at the airport

The reality of the fraud only became clear when airport staff informed them that their booking did not exist.

“We were in shock. I said, ‘No, it can’t be’,” Shashikala recalled in a PTI report, describing the moment they were told the tickets were fake.

Instead of boarding their long-awaited flight, the couple were left stranded at the airport until their son turned back to collect them, making a two-hour return journey to bring them home.

The loss, amounting to over £2,500, had been paid via direct bank transfer. The couple reported the matter to the national fraud reporting service and contacted their bank. However, because the payment was not made by credit card, they were told it is unlikely the funds can be recovered due to the absence of additional consumer protections.

Travel plans eventually restored

Determined not to let the experience defeat them, the Jansaris later managed to travel to Ahmedabad by booking through a trusted local travel agent in Leicester.

“Scammers are very clever. I don’t know how they do it, but they use old people like us,” Shashikala told PTI. “I would advise people to ask the younger generation to help them, scammers are everywhere.”

Rise in fraud and cybercrime

According to Leicestershire Police, fraud and cybercrime now account for around half of reported crimes in England and Wales. Officers are urging the public not to rush into online purchases and to verify the authenticity of websites and sellers.

Nicole McIntyre, a supervisor in the force’s fraud team, explained in a PTI report that criminals increasingly rely on technology to impersonate trusted brands or individuals.

“They use technology to pretend to be someone else, there’s a lot of spoofing software which can present different phone numbers or text message IDs,” she said. “They then share links that may appear legitimate but lead to fraudulent websites.”

McIntyre advised people to pause and seek reassurance before transferring money. “Go away and ask trusted family or friends for advice. If someone is asking for money, check directly with the genuine person and make sure you feel confident before sending any of your hard-earned cash,” she added.

Community education and awareness

In the wake of the incident, Shashikala has begun attending awareness sessions run by Healthy Living at Rushey Mead Recreation Centre in Leicester. The programme offers guidance on spotting scams, strengthening passwords and using only verified websites.

Bharat Kanabar, who is involved in the sessions, told PTI that concerns around artificial intelligence are also growing among older residents.

“AI is a big topic in itself. People worry about hacking into their social media accounts or criminals mimicking family members’ voices to ask for money. It’s an area where people need education,” he said.

Key advice to avoid flight booking scams

Authorities and community groups recommend the following steps to reduce the risk of falling victim to online travel scams:

• Book flights directly through verified airline websites or established travel agencies
• Avoid completing transactions solely via messaging apps such as WhatsApp
• Be cautious of deals that appear significantly cheaper than market rates
• Use credit cards where possible for added consumer protection
• Double-check website URLs and company contact details
• Seek advice from trusted family members before transferring large sums

With international travel demand rising and fraudsters exploiting digital platforms, the Jansaris hope their ordeal serves as a cautionary tale.

“We don’t want anyone else to go through what we did,” Shashikala said, as per PTI.