‘Lucky draw’ turns into nightmare for Bahrain shoppers

TDT | Manama                                                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

What was supposed to be an exciting lucky draw for shoppers in various popular malls in Bahrain has become a nightmare for some. Indian expatriate Saurabh has recently come forward to share such an experience to shed light on a scam that has affected numerous unsuspecting victims.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, the 34-year-old explained that the modus operandi of this scam involved agents collecting personal details, including CPR numbers and contact information, from individuals visiting malls and other shopping centres in Bahrain.

“These agents entice customers with promises of winning gold coins through lucky draws. Many expats, lured by the prospect of winning valuable prizes, willingly shared their personal information to participate in the draws.

“Soon after providing these details, participants received calls from purported company representatives, notifying them of their supposed winnings and instructing them to collect their prizes from various locations.”

He continued, “However, upon arrival, individuals were coerced into purchasing holiday packages ranging from BD250 to BD2,000. The packages allegedly included accommodations at luxurious 3- to 5-star hotels, tailored to the customers’ preferences.” Saurabh himself fell victim to this scam.

After winning a gift in the lucky draw, he received a call offering him an enticing tour package. Cautious of potential fraud, Saurabh refrained from accepting the offer. However, a few months later, he received a call from another company offering a similar tour package. This time, Saurabh’s excitement got the better of him, and he paid BD450 for the promised vacation.

Scam

Unfortunately, after making the payment, Saurabh never received any further communication from the company. It soon became apparent that he had fallen prey to the scam. Determined to raise awareness and prevent others from similar ordeals, Saurabh filed a complaint with the authorities.

Although both agencies involved have ceased operations and their owners have left Bahrain, Saurabh hopes that by speaking out, he can protect others from becoming victims. Upon investigation, The Daily Tribune discovered that multiple individuals had fallen victim to the scam.

The company's official website revealed several Google reviews from disgruntled customers, further highlighting the fraudulent practices employed by the company. Simarjeet Kaur expressed frustration at the lack of response to emails and phone calls, and Alan Pankaj urged fellow victims to explore legal recourse.

The Daily Tribune made several futile attempts to contact the company for comment. This shocking case reminds shoppers to exercise caution when sharing personal information and participating in lucky draws.