India Travel Forum

Hello,

I am planning to go to Mc leod ganj in march 2009. We found a website advertising a flat which we want to rent. The owner through email asks us half the price RPs 3000 to be sent to him via western union. He said that we only need to give his name and ask the money to be sent to Dharamsala, and then email him the code.

Now we went to western union here in Germany, and of course it's a bit more information needed: they need his full address.

My question is, how come he doesn' t know how to receive money from Western Union when he advertises for a hotel through internet? I don't want to be too suspicious but hey... who knows...
There is nothing that guaranties that the place actually still exists and we won't get any booking form.

So I thought if I'm lucky there might be one of you out there who might be so kind as to check for us?

its called 'vishnu bahwan' appartments, near boom boom cafe in jogiwara, mc leod ganj
the owner is called anupam khanna

I would be very grateful to have confirmation that there is such a place out there, so i can book that room.... and find it on arrival!

Love to all
Mylene

Hi Mylene,

There has recently been a money transfer scam with people using Western Union. Not sure just how it works, but you might find something on Google. Hopefully someone else will be able to re-assure you, but be careful. If you feel something isn't right, then it probably isn't!

Regards

Geoff

There's lots on Google, this is just one of them:

http://www.scambuster419.co.uk/moneytransfer.htm

There are lots of scams like this in India.So please be careful.It is better for you to ask him to spell out the complete address and a hand sketch map of his location would be better.It is possible that this is the first time that he is using Western Union and so he may not know fully.This is just a possibilty.

Yes...some one who is residing in McLeod ganj should be able to help you and that would ensure 99.99 percent as true.

Suggest you to check other terms and conditions otherwise you may be forced to pay as extras.

Hello Mylene,
It is difficult to say this is scam or lack of knowledge as how to make the financial transaction through western union, but this is not wise make payment and book an appartement in advannce.Mecleod Ganj is turistry place and there are plnety of rooms/flats available.I suggest you to go there and stay in hotel for few days and see all the options available for rent.You must personally see the location, facilities and rental value as it will be better as you wish to stay there for a longer period.
Best regards.
Uma shanker

I am used to wu money transfer from Canada. they just ask for reviver and sender name and country. may be in Germany rules are different.(or the particular WU agency through which ur sending money.
Why don't u simply reply him and ask for full name and address?

and have a faith. if he want to cheat you he would have demand more amount.

thank you for your kind answer about that flat and the possibility of a scam.
I have been told the same at the western union office (a lovely indian couple holding it)so we won't take the risk.

We only wanted to make sure we'd have a place to stay because we heard that in march lots of people go to dharamsala for the dalai lama teachings...
do you know about that?

and we also have work projects and are coming with our expensive laptop so that's why we wanted a self contained flat safe enough etc. etc.

thank you very much namaste.

Namaste

so you resolved all the queries yet?

Hi Mylene,

It is better to check with the office of DalaiLama about his scehdules.When he is in Dharamsala giving lectures, all the geusthoouses, hotels get fully booked.
So suggest you to check the schedules and then visit.
For your information recently he was in Auroville(in Pondy) near Chennai.

have a nice trip.

Suru