17 Elderly Tourists From Maharashtra Stranded in Dubai; Pune Travel Firm Accused of Fraud

Dubai/Pune, 10th February 2026: Seventeen senior citizens from Maharashtra are reportedly stranded in Dubai after a Pune-based travel agency allegedly failed to honour tour commitments, issued invalid return tickets, and did not clear hotel payments, leaving the elderly group in a vulnerable situation overseas.

Family members have sought urgent intervention from Indian authorities, describing the episode as a serious case of financial fraud and abandonment of travellers in a foreign country.

According to relatives, the group had booked a Dubai tour package through Kedar Travels, Pune, paying Rs 74,000 per person in advance. The trip initially proceeded as planned, with local coordinators identified as Iqbal and Fahim assisting the group during the first two days of their stay.

Trouble reportedly began when the agency allegedly demanded an additional Rs 2 lakh, citing unexpected expenses. When the senior citizens informed the agency that they were unable to arrange the extra funds, communication allegedly stopped. Calls and messages from both the travellers and their families have since gone unanswered.

The situation escalated when the group discovered that their return flight tickets were invalid. Around the same time, the management of the Fortune Pearl Hotel in Dubai reportedly informed them that their stay could not continue as the travel agency had not settled the accommodation charges.

Punekar News attempted to contact Kedar Travels multiple times for a response, but despite repeated efforts, the agency did not reply.

Documents related to the booking show that the tour was scheduled from February 6 to February 11, 2026, and was to include flights, visas, hotel accommodation, meals, sightseeing, and local transport. The total package cost for the group was listed as Rs 12.58 lakh.

The planned itinerary featured visits to major attractions including Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall Aquarium, Desert Safari, Global Village, Miracle Garden, Dubai Frame, and a Dhow Cruise dinner.

Relatives allege that despite full payment being made, several key services were not delivered, leaving the elderly travellers without confirmed return arrangements or secured accommodation.

Families of the stranded tourists have approached authorities in India and are seeking immediate assistance from the Indian Embassy in the UAE and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the group’s safety and facilitate their return home.

A formal complaint has also been filed against Kedar Travels and its representatives, with allegations including cheating, financial fraud, and endangering the welfare of senior citizens abroad. Officials have not yet issued a formal statement, but sources indicate that efforts are underway to verify the situation and establish contact with the affected travellers.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over travel-related fraud, particularly schemes targeting elderly tourists. Families have urged travellers to thoroughly verify the credentials and track record of tour operators before booking international trips.