Exploitation of E-Ticket Loophole: Travels Company Loses Rs 3 Crore

Strategic Insights -

In a shocking case of exploitation, a private travels company in South India has lodged a complaint with the cybercrime police alleging that 54 individuals exploited a loophole in their e-ticket booking system, cheating the company out of over Rs 3 crore. The loophole, which was identified between May and July 2025, allowed the individuals to double their money by cancelling their bookings instantly after recharging their digital wallets. The company, Sri Krishna Travels (SKT), claims that the accused individuals used this method to make multiple transactions, with one individual, AC Swarna, making Rs 11,970 from a single cancellation.

Key Takeaways:

  • 54 individuals exploited a software glitch in the e-ticket system of Sri Krishna Travels (SKT) to cheat the company out of over Rs 3 crore.
  • The loophole was identified between May and July 2025, and allowed individuals to double their money by cancelling their bookings instantly after recharging their digital wallets.
  • One individual, AC Swarna, made Rs 11,970 from a single cancellation using this method.
  • The accused individuals recharged their SKT digital wallets, bought bus tickets to popular routes such as Bengaluru-Hyderabad, and then instantly cancelled the transactions.
  • The company claims that the practice not only caused direct monetary loss but also distorted seat inventory, hurting genuine travellers.
  • Cyberabad police registered a case under sections 318(4), 319(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 66 and 43 of the Information Technology Act.
  • The police are trying to identify and arrest the accused individuals, who have been identified through their customer details.

Statistics:

  • Over Rs 3 crore: The amount cheated by the accused individuals out of Sri Krishna Travels (SKT).
  • 54: The number of individuals who exploited the loophole in the e-ticket system.
  • Rs 11,970: The amount made by one individual, AC Swarna, from a single cancellation using the loophole method.
  • May and July 2025: The timeframe during which the loophole was exploited.
  • Rs 6,300: The amount paid by AC Swarna from her wallet for four seats.
  • Rs 5,670: The refund amount eligible after cancellation.
  • Rs 6,300 + Rs 5,670 = Rs 11,970: The amount credited to AC Swarna's wallet after the cancellation.

Sources:

  • Times of India article "Sri Krishna Travels lodges complaint with Cyberabad police alleging e-ticketing system was exploited by 54 people"