Full Breakdown
Elderly Couple Reimbursed After Falling Victim to Travel Scam
3/30/2026, 3:23:40 AM
Overview of the Incident
Dinesh, 80, and Shashikala Jansari, 78, from Leicester, were victims of a travel scam that resulted in the loss of £2,500 for fake flight tickets. The couple, who had planned a two-month trip to India to visit relatives in Gujarat, discovered the fraud when they arrived at London's Heathrow Airport in November and were informed that their tickets were not valid.
How the Scam Occurred
The Jansaris believed they were booking their trip through the legitimate travel website Expedia. However, Dinesh inadvertently accessed a fraudulent site that redirected him to a WhatsApp conversation with a scammer posing as "Fly Expedia." The scammer requested a direct bank transfer of £2,502, which the couple paid without realizing they were being deceived.
Initial Response and Reimbursement Process
Upon discovering the scam at the airport, the couple reported the incident to their bank, Santander, and to Report Fraud. Initially, Santander informed them that it was unlikely they would recover their funds, attributing the loss to the couple's decision to transfer the money. Following an appeal to the Financial Ombudsman Service by their son, Asit Jansari, Santander revisited the case and ultimately reimbursed the full amount after concluding that the Jansaris had indeed been scammed.
Official Statements & Responses
A Santander spokesperson expressed sympathy for the victims and confirmed the reimbursement, stating, "After reviewing Mr and Mrs Jansari's case, we have reimbursed the £2,500 that was stolen by the scammers." The spokesperson also highlighted the rise in travel-related scams, noting that over £74,000 had been reported in the first three months of the year. They urged customers to remain vigilant when booking travel and to trust their instincts if something feels off.
Criticism & Opposition
Shashikala Jansari expressed frustration with the bank's initial response, stating, "The bank said it was our fault because we transferred the money." This sentiment reflects a broader concern among consumers regarding the accountability of financial institutions in cases of fraud.
Lessons Learned and Future Precautions
Following their ordeal, the Jansaris successfully booked a legitimate trip to Ahmedabad through a travel agent in Leicester. Shashikala has since participated in fraud awareness sessions at the Rushey Mead Recreation Centre, where she shares her experience to help others avoid similar scams. She emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, "Scammers are very clever; they use old people like us."
Verbatim Quotes
- "We were shocked when we found out they were scam tickets. We were at the airport ready to go." — Shashikala Jansari
- "It was the Financial Ombudsman that dealt with the matter. It contacted the bank." — Asit Jansari
- "If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and take a moment to double-check before making a payment." — Santander Spokesperson
The Jansaris' experience serves as a cautionary tale about the prevalence of scams targeting vulnerable individuals, highlighting the importance of awareness and due diligence in financial transactions.
