In Gurgaon, 26-year-old man stays at luxury hotel without paying over Rs 6 lakh bill; Sends fake payment screenshots

Gurugram police have arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly staying at a hotel for five months without paying, while sending fake payment screenshots totalling over Rs 6 lakh to the hotel operator. The accused, Himanshu, was apprehended following a complaint and subsequent investigation.

Five-Month Hotel Stay Ends in Fraud Discovery

According to police, Himanshu, a resident of Sohna and a postgraduate in computer applications, stayed at a hotel and service apartment on Golf Course Road, DLF Phase 5, from October 2025 to February 2026.

The hotel operator, Tapish Kumar, reported that Himanshu shared screenshots of 16 payments via WhatsApp, which were later found to be fraudulent. Despite repeated requests, Himanshu did not provide bank statements, and his total unpaid bill amounted to Rs 6.17 lakh.

Fake PhonePe App Used to Commit Fraud

During police interrogation, Himanshu admitted to using a fake PhonePe application. The app allowed him to generate screenshots of payments without actually transferring any money.

"He installed a fake PhonePe application in which only the scanner works, while all other features were inactive. He stayed at the hotel for five months and sent screenshots of 16 false transactions, committing a fraud of over Rs 6 lakh," a Gurugram police spokesperson said.

Police Action and Arrest

Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at Sector 53 police station. Himanshu was arrested on Wednesday from the DLF Phase 5 area. His mobile phone has been confiscated, and further investigations are underway.

The accused was produced in a city court on Thursday and sent to judicial custody. Police continue to probe the case to ensure all evidence is collected and proper legal action is taken.

Raising Awareness on Digital Payment Fraud

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while using digital payment platforms and to verify transactions before accepting payments or accommodation. The incident highlights the risks of fraudulent apps and the need for vigilance in online financial dealings.

Inputs from PTI