Highland Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd.
Yesterday, my mother-in-law got a phone call from “Bajaj Electricals” which is a well known company in India. She was asked three questions (which she answered wrongly). Her answers were declared correct and she was invited to claim a gift vouchers from some “Bajaj office” in the evening. It sounded like she was getting to select from a variety of goods up to a value of Rs. 4,000/-. She was busy and my husband and I went instead. What we found was a royal scam.
We were supposed to land up in the basement hall of the Great Imperial Palace Hotel in Teili Galli in Andheri (6th Sept 2007 - in case anyone wants to investigate this further). We entered to find a variety of couples engaged in different degrees of conversation with salesmen of varying degrees of aptitude.
It all began with a smooth talking salesman writing a lot on bits of paper creating flowcharts and lists and sweeping them away to create more on new pieces of paper. We were explained how Bajaj has plenty of ventures like Electricals, motors and god knows what else, and now there is a new one - Highland Holidays. This of course was total bull shit, as none of their papers had anything to do with Bajaj beyond its being the surname of one of its founders.
I think its an obvious scam when the name Bajaj Electricals was directly used by them to generate a sense of credibility. Then came too good to be true offers on holidays (which may or not be real, but certainly smelled like a rat). We were offered 8 days a year for 10 years for an “initial investment” of Rs. 42,000/- Needless to say neither of us were about to part from our cash. which eventually got negotiated to a “mere” Rs.14,000/- for 6 days for 5 years.
What got me itchy and suspicious and getting on google search immediately on returning home were these things:
- The phone call itself pretended to distribute gift vouchers for Bajaj Electricals for three correct answers, but offered them even when the answers were wrong
- We are not listed for any schemes, contests or anything, and the organizers had no clear answer for how they got our number.
- Nowhere on the location was any banner related with Bajaj (which is the name we were expecting to find) to be found. We honestly stumbled upon the event while enquiring about it.
- Bajaj Electricals, the name used to draw unsuspecting people to the event - was in no way related to it, nor were any gift vouchers from Bajaj electricals distributed.
- For a company that seemed to have gone through great effort to book a venue and organize individual presentations for participants, there was not a single piece of printed paper they actually gave anyone. No visiting cards, no printed documents of schemes, no nothing - not even mobile numbers.
- It was clearly specified that the “outstanding offer” was open only right then, and the answer had to be yes or no on the completion of the presentation - no going home and taking a day to think or anything (more likely - no investigating this company for reliability)
- The “gift vouchers” were for a holiday for two at one of some specified locations, where we still would be expected to be paying money.
- The “presentation” itself was more like street haggling, where you are offered higher investment opportunities and when they are refused, cheaper ones come up.
- Why would any reputable company have an investment opportunity open for an evening where a decision is to be made without looking at any offer document, without any verification, office address, official representatives, or even simple visiting cards? The way I see it, if they can’t afford a basic official set up, my investment is unlikely to be safe with them.
- Strangely, even their “managers” who came in to dramatic effect with approvals of surveys, and special offers, etc. didn’t even bother to provide surnames. I have yet to see any professional investment related thing being presented or negotiated without any written documentation or proposal of the exact offering and terms for consideration before investing in it. No official venue, no visiting cards, nothing.
- For an investment related event taking place in a hotel, not even tea or coffee was offered. We were asked if we wanted water.
- In short, they were simply trying to his susceptible people and get money out of them as fast as possible.
The sad part is that I found some middle class couples and one really aged one taking these offers very seriously. I hope for their sakes that this offer goes against all logic and turns out to be genuine.
PS: A reader Kalyana has shared this link to an article from the Deccan Herald where Holiday Homes was asked to refund payment by the consumer court.
April 4th, 20087:56 am at
All things written about Highland Holiday Homes is very true. They really turned out to be Liars. All their promises and offers are fake. My parents got cheated by them and are under a loss of Rs.30,000 - which is a total waste.Every word they spoke and every facility they explained are lies. They were in such a hurry for the payment, giving us no time to read any documents. Innocent looking young people were used for their marketting - who ofcourse had great skills and did a smart job of cheating many families.
I am in a fix about how to deal with these cheaters.
June 24th, 200810:50 am at
Hi Sophia,
Thank you for sharing your experience here. I hope that you were able to get either value for your investment or a refund.
You might want to try going to the place from where your parents signed up. The people there might know how to find them.
Also, it is important to make a police complaint, so that your complaint is on record.
I hope this helps.
Vidyut
July 24th, 20084:07 am at
Hi,
I am Kalyana Chakravarthy, who too have been duped by these people(Highland homes). I booked for two rooms and two nights at Tirupati thru Pune office of theirs as I stay at Pune. I paid money for both. I was alloted only one room. We checked out in the evening not ven completeing one day.
When I went to Pune office for refund of fare for one room which I had not used, they state “We have offered you two rooms, but you preferred only one.Hence we cannot refund that.”
I told them the resort staff had stated that only one room is available.
They say “You should have fought with them or called us”. I told them that we reached Tirupati at 12:00 am in morning. How can we call you at time. They close by 5:30 pm to 6:00pm.
Still they adamantly insist they will not refund for extra amount they charged.
Regards
Kalyana
July 27th, 20087:14 am at
Hi Kalyana
From the way you describe it, you may find help in the consumer courts.. While it is a hassle, it might help bring such people to notice and protect future victims.
Vidyut
September 6th, 200810:37 am at
Hi,
I got the call and decided to go and visit their place in Pune. I started asking questions-
1. How did you get my number? ANS: Your banks, Mobile Providers, Central Govt Database and Binary (Referal) - I have no relatives who could refer, my Utility Providers cannot share my data due to my written application - Privacy Act. Interesting
2. When I started challenging THREAT to my Privacy, they directly offered me the gift holiday package - I denied, I told I need to understand what I’m getting, why etc
3. They have lots of First Year, Part time Employees who have been doing the job
4. Lots of rough, poor quality papers, much explained above. Attractive Offers.
5. I had investigated the Promoters - They had been penalized in 2001 in Green (Teak Scam) and have history of Collective Investment Scams to cheat Common People.
REF: http://www.sebi.gov.in/legaldiary/02/legalmarch.pdf
I’m taking this to Local NEWS Paper in Pune.
Pravin
September 9th, 200810:19 am at
Dear Kalyana,
Today morning my mother a senior citizen(70+) ,got the same phone call and she went with my father n fortunately my younger brother happily to their office. By God’s Grace I just happened to give them a regular call while they were across the table.
So my brother came out to talk to me & told about the phone call ….we decided to call after 5 min & I immediately opened the net ‘Google Search’ to find its validity/reviews…where i found your review….that saved my parents money as well as their hopes being crushed when they would find out the truth.
I appreciate your ‘Gracious’ act of helping people.
Thanks a million,once again.
September 16th, 200812:36 pm at
Wow Anu,
I am so glad that you were helped actively by this review. I showed this comment to Raka (my husband) as well, and he was amazed too. What a coincidence to have you calling your brother and him being there and good research on your part!!!
Honestly, I don’t really know much about this company, and it is possible that their offers are valid, though it seems unlikely from what the responses here contribute as well. My post is mostly about my experience with them, and the wariness I felt while dealing with them.
Good for you though. With that attitude of looking carefully before making decisions, you have a strength many of us wish for.
Vidyut
September 18th, 20085:47 am at
Hi All,
Thanks for this review.It really helped me save my money as today afternoon I got the same phone call from a girl belonging to Bajaj Highland who asked me 3 questions and told me that my answers are right. Then, she has asked me to come to some basement of some hotel near Jayshree’s garden in Pune. I said I would confirm after sometime. I searched for the name “Bajaj Highland” on google and I found this review.
Thanks a lot everyone
September 19th, 20083:57 am at
Hi All
We are also a victim of this scam . We lost Rs. 15000 /- for 3 years
domestic package. How to get our money back ?
Thanks
September 20th, 20083:41 am at
Hi to all , i just got a call from BAJAJ HIGH LAND… saying that my name has been selected in the lucky draw for two assured prizes form BHL - 1)Holiday package 2)Glod plated Jewellery . Pls visit our shop and collect the prizes along with your family . Instantly my mind gets alarming and i search dtls on the net abt BHL , thanks to all for sharing their bad experince to us . I m thankful to god he saves my minimum 15-20k which i m sure i will going to loose today for sure. Once again thanks to all and beware they r crooks and running a scam dont induldge into it. Thanks
September 23rd, 20084:00 am at
Please help in this matter. Last month i got a call so we went there and we took the membership for Rs.15000/- for 3 yrs. But i want the money to be refunded. So what i ve to do for this.
September 25th, 200810:28 am at
I invested Rs . 10000 in high land holidays for the last ten years. want to refund y money back i had send the necessary documents but it returned back , as the address is change it was in bandra, i dont know the new address for refund , so please give me the needful information that i could refundmy money back with regards , s. tyagarajan
September 29th, 20083:06 am at
Looks like the scam location has changed to baner, pune. I just got the same call and smelling something fishy, looked up on google and found this site.
October 10th, 20089:52 am at
I AM TOTALLY DISTURBED TO FIND THAT I HAVE BEEN DUBED OF RS. 40,000/- HARD EARNED MONEY KINDLY ADVISE ME HOW TO GET REFUND BACK. THEY ARE ONLY EAGER TO GET THE CASH. IF THEY REALLY MEANT BUSINESS THEY SHOULD FULLFILL THE REEQUREMENT THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE THE CLIENT SATISFY WHICH i have found was missing on their part I HAVE GONE FOR THIS PACKAGE ONLY BY THE NAME OF BAJAJ AND THEIR REPUTATION IF THEY ARE MISUSING THE NAME THEY SHOULD BE PENALISED FOR IT. MY CONTACT NUMBER IS 9869605101
October 19th, 20082:12 am at
Hi everyone,
I got the same type of call as everyone offering free gift voucher if I answered 2 out of 3 ques correct; which I did; the lady asked me to meet at a Hotel Peacock near Jayshree Garden at 6 pm. Thanks to all you people, I came to know about this scam before hand and have decided not to go. Thanx and keep the good work going.
October 27th, 20089:04 am at
Dear all Friends,
First lesson — dont get involved in such type of fradulant companies without checking their real verification. Dont go as per the look of their office.
Second lesson — Dont cry, and Dont repeat the same. thanks to God almighty, to saved yourself from further loss and for learning a Good Lesson.
Third lesson — Educate / circulate the same to your near and dear ones / relatives/friends immdly. Try to protest through media.
Fourth lesson — For stress management — Nature is best place — to know your five hidden elements — come to us and undergo some soft or hard adventure workshops as per your choice.
Please dont mind becasue I do respect your emotions and care for your hard earned money.
Regards
Happy Deepawali
Jayant Dofey
Note; Even if it is a call from highely reputed company, dont get attracted towards the soft voice of females and their free invitations. In this universe nothing comes free.
October 31st, 20086:04 am at
I have also been a sucker in this scam.
Perhaps the joint efforts of all the victims can achieve results.
November 3rd, 20084:29 am at
hi every one,
I hadn’t realized how many people have had these experiences.
I’d like to share here that I have just shared my experience with them, and have no contact with them since then, so I have no clue where their office is, or indeed if they actually have one.
I also have no authority to legally do anything against them, since I didn’t actually invest any money with them.
Also, I want to share, that if you have invested with them, don’t go by this post alone. Many people here seem to have invested and now scared just because of this post. If you are getting the holidays you wanted and everything is as it should be, don’t panic just because you have invested and some people here have had a suspicious experience. Find out your options, initiate conversation with them and see how you can enjoy what you have paid for. Don’t worry unless there is a problem.
Jayant, I would appreciate it if you respected that the comments are space for conversation and not advertisement. I fail to see how your adventure services are relevant to Bajaj highland holidays. I understand that you would like people to know about your services, but it is not polite to push them into a conversation about something else. There are plenty of posts here which are relevant to what you offer and will have meaning to the reader and generate interest for you. I’m letting this comment be, because I don’t believe in censoring what my readers write. Just asking you to respect this space.
November 15th, 200810:05 pm at
Hi,
I have been similarly cheated. I am planning to take legal action. Those of you who wish to join for this collective action please write to me at hhhpl2008@hotmail.com.
November 16th, 20081:08 pm at
Even I got cheated of Rs.31000. i am not able to utilise this facility nor they are renting out the days. i thing we can go to the consumer court. there is one succes story i got from the net which is given below. I think we all can take the same route.
there is success story in http://www.icrpc.org/icrpc.org.success2.htm
Highland Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd.: Refunds money
24) Mrs. & Mr. Vishwajitsinh H Gohil of Bangalore (9900120023) of Mumbai had applied for membership of Highland Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd. and paid Rs. 33,000 through credit card with an assurance from there will be rental facility enabling the consumers to get Rs. 1500 per day on holidays rented. This turned out to be a fake promise. ICRPC sent a notice to the company and asked for immediate settlement. The consumers received full amount on 9-2-2007.
November 18th, 20089:03 pm at
With ref to Mr. Sanny’s mail, I tried sending a notice to them through ICRPC but still HHH have not taken much action. They are not giving full refund. They told me that i can take legal action. We need to fight a court case jointly to get our money back.
November 18th, 200810:53 pm at
Hi All
We are also a victim of this scam . We lost Rs. 35000 /- for 5 years
domestic package. How to get our money back ?
We had applied for membership of Highland Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd. and paid Rs. 35,000 through credit card with an assurance i.e
1. from there will be rental facility enabling the consumers to get Rs. 1000 per day on holidays rented.
2.The utility charges of Rs. 550 per day/ per room were fixed for the entire contract period.
3.Contract amount was spilt into 18 months EMI from SBI bank EMI option and the entire interest portion (14%) will be paid by Highland Holiday home.
4. Any point of time we can cancel this membership and they will refund the balance amount.
This turned out to be a fake promise. Please let me know what should I do and get my money back.
Thanks
November 19th, 20084:14 am at
I agree with all the points above, I have also paid 39k and could not use for 2 years, when I try to book there is no response from this office. It looks like all false promise been made. Due to the recession you can get lots of hotel/resort at throuway price now. Foreigners are cancelling the bookings, you can imagine the fate of the owners where the demand has gone down 30-40%.
If they are not false they should come forward and provide the best service atleast to make their stand.
Shivanand