Mangaluru: The director of Summer Sands Beach Resort at Ullal has lodged a complaint with the Mangaluru city Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police station, alleging large-scale online fraud carried out through a fake website impersonating the popular beachfront property. The fraud reportedly led to unsuspecting tourists being cheated of money under the guise of advance room bookings.
According to the complaint, the complainant has been serving as the director of Summer Sands Beach Resort for the past seven years. The resort, located at Ullal near Mangaluru, operates officially through its website www.summersands.in and regularly receives a steady inflow of domestic and international tourists. Room bookings are typically made through the official website, registered email addresses, or authorised phone numbers of the resort.
Unauthorised access to Google Business profile
The complaint states that the first signs of suspicious activity were noticed on November 10, 2025, when unidentified persons allegedly gained unauthorised access to the resort’s official Google Business profile. The complainant said multiple attempts were made to reclaim control of the profile through Google’s verification process.
However, Google reportedly informed the complainant that “this business profile has already been claimed,” leaving the resort management unable to access or manage its own online listing. This development raised serious concerns, as the Google Business profile is a key source of information for tourists searching for accommodation online.
Fake website closely resembling official portal
The issue escalated further on January 11, 2026, when the complainant discovered that unknown persons had created a fake website — www.summersandresort.com — which closely resembled the resort’s official website in appearance, branding and content.
According to the complaint, the fake website was designed to mislead users into believing it was the legitimate online portal of Summer Sands Beach Resort. Fraudsters allegedly used photographs, layout elements and resort details similar to the original website, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between the genuine and fake platforms.
Tourists lured through WhatsApp and fake payment links
Using the fake website, the accused allegedly lured innocent tourists and members of the public by offering room bookings. Visitors to the fake site were directed to contact a WhatsApp number provided on the page.
Once in contact, victims were allegedly asked to transfer advance booking amounts to various bank accounts or scan QR codes under the pretext of confirming room reservations. After the payments were made, the victims reportedly received no confirmation or further response, resulting in financial loss through online fraud.
Scam uncovered after complaints from victims
The fraudulent activity came to light after several tourists and members of the public contacted Summer Sands Beach Resort directly, complaining that they had been cheated despite making advance payments for bookings.
It was only after receiving these calls and messages that the resort management realised the scale of the fraud being carried out in its name. The complainant stated that the victims had assumed they were dealing with the official resort, as the fake website and contact details appeared authentic.
Public warning issued by resort management
Upon learning about the scam, the complainant immediately posted a public warning on the resort’s official website, cautioning people against making any payments through unauthorised links, websites or WhatsApp numbers.
The warning urged prospective guests to verify booking details only through the official website www.summersands.in or through verified contact channels, and informed the public about the existence of the fake website impersonating the resort.
Police complaint and demand for strict action
The complainant has urged the authorities to take strict legal action against those responsible for creating and operating the fake website, as well as those involved in siphoning money from victims through fraudulent bank accounts and digital payment methods.
A case has been registered at the Mangaluru city CEN police station, which specialises in cybercrime and economic offences. Police are expected to investigate the creation of the fake website, unauthorised access to the Google Business profile, and the financial trail linked to the scam.
Conclusion
With online booking frauds on the rise, the incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of businesses and consumers to cyber impersonation scams. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while making online payments and to verify websites and contact details before transferring money. The police investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.