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Submit your complaint →Vice President Gaurav Bhargava accuses ZoomCar of cheating after a host extracted ₹7,700 for diesel and FastTag, canceled the trip, and marked it as customer-initiated. Read the full complaint, possible legal actions, and how Choice4Voice.com helps consumers in car rental fraud cases.
Complaint Summary
| Complainant Name | Gaurav Bhargava |
|---|---|
| Designation | Vice President, Intellect Design Arena Ltd |
| Company Complained Against | ZoomCar India Pvt. Ltd. |
| Complaint ID (ZoomCar) | 1916192 |
| Issue Type | Fraudulent payment & false booking cancellation |
| Amount Involved | ₹7,700 |
| Incident Date | October 2025 (Approx.) |
| Complaint Status | Unresolved |
| Platform for Complaint | Choice4Voice.com |
Full Complaint Summary and Details
Mr. Gaurav Bhargava, Vice President at Intellect Design Arena Ltd., has raised a serious complaint against ZoomCar India Pvt. Ltd., accusing the company and its host partner of fraudulent activity and misrepresentation.
According to Mr. Bhargava’s statement, he booked a car through ZoomCar for a planned trip. The assigned host demanded an additional ₹7,700 as prepayment for diesel and FastTag expenses a charge that is not officially mandated under ZoomCar’s policies.
After making the payment, the host failed to arrive on time, ultimately cancelled the booking, and ZoomCar falsely marked the cancellation as “customer-initiated.”
When Mr. Bhargava raised a formal complaint with ZoomCar (Complaint ID: 1916192), he received a misleading response suggesting that he himself had canceled the trip, which he strongly denies. Despite follow-up communication, no refund or corrective action has been initiated by ZoomCar as of now.
This incident highlights rising concerns around fraudulent host practices on aggregator platforms, where customers are misled into paying extra charges outside official channels resulting in loss of money and trust.
Legal Case Can Be Filed
- Online Fraud and Cheating
- Law Invoked: Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- Authority: Local Police / Cyber Crime Department
- Reason: Host extracted money under false pretext of vehicle charges.
- Breach of Consumer Trust & Deficiency in Service
- Law Invoked: Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Authority: District Consumer Forum via https://edaakhil.nic.in
- Reason: Service failure and false cancellation claim by ZoomCar.
- Unfair Trade Practice by Platform
- Law Invoked: Section 2(47), Consumer Protection Act
- Authority: Ministry of Consumer Affairs / NCDRC
- Reason: Platform failed to protect consumer rights against fraudulent hosts.
- Cybercrime for Digital Payment Misuse
- Law Invoked: Information Technology Act, 2000 (Section 66D)
- Authority: Cyber Crime Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in)
- Reason: Financial fraud through digital transfer.
- Breach of Platform Accountability
- Law Invoked: RBI Guidelines for Payment Aggregators & Digital Platforms
- Authority: Reserve Bank of India
- Reason: Failure to secure and verify host activity and financial transactions.
Authorities Where Complaint Can Be Filed
| Authority | Purpose | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Forum | For compensation due to fraud or poor service | https://edaakhil.nic.in |
| Cyber Crime Portal (MHA) | For reporting online payment or host fraud | https://cybercrime.gov.in |
| ZoomCar Grievance Team | For internal escalation | https://www.zoomcar.com/help |
| RBI Ombudsman (If Payment via Wallet/Card) | For payment-related disputes | https://cms.rbi.org.in |
| Local Police Station / Cyber Cell | To file FIR under IPC Section 420 | Local Jurisdiction |
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
Choice4Voice.com is India’s fastest-growing consumer advocacy and public accountability platform. It helps consumers bring attention to unresolved service complaints and corporate negligence by publishing verified cases publicly.
Here’s how Choice4Voice.com supports consumers:
- Public Complaint Publication: Verified cases are published online and shared across LinkedIn to create public pressure.
- Drafting Legal Templates: Get pre-drafted complaint templates for FIR, cybercrime, and consumer court submissions.
- Legal Escalation Guidance: Step-by-step assistance in filing complaints to RBI, Cyber Cell, or District Forum.
- Transparency & Awareness: Ensures brands are held accountable for every consumer interaction.
By sharing verified complaints like that of Mr. Gaurav Bhargava, Choice4Voice.com helps expose fraudulent practices and supports victims in obtaining justice and refunds.
Brand Background: ZoomCar India Pvt. Ltd.
Founded in 2013, ZoomCar India Pvt. Ltd. operates as a self-drive car rental company in India with operations across major cities. While the platform claims to provide reliable, host-driven car rentals, there has been a growing number of consumer complaints regarding refund delays, host fraud, and poor grievance redressal.
Such incidents reflect the urgent need for stronger verification systems for hosts and transparent customer support channels.
Step-by-Step Complaint Filing Guide
1. File a Complaint with ZoomCar
- Email: support@zoomcar.com
- Include booking ID, payment proof, and complaint number (1916192).
- Keep acknowledgment copies for escalation.
2. Report Online Fraud
- Visit https://cybercrime.gov.in
- Choose “Report Other Cybercrime” → Upload payment transaction proof.
3. File a Complaint in Consumer Forum
- Visit https://edaakhil.nic.in
- File under “Deficiency in Service” and claim refund + compensation.
4. Escalate to RBI Ombudsman (If Payment via Card/UPI)
- Go to https://cms.rbi.org.in
- Choose “Payment System Issue” category.
5. Submit Your Case to Choice4Voice.com
- Visit https://choice4voice.com
- Fill the Google form and submit proof of communication for publication.
Author Section
Gaurav Bhargava is the Vice President at Intellect Design Arena Ltd, with extensive experience in digital transformation, IT solutions, and e-commerce system design. A highly reputed professional, he raised this public complaint to expose unethical practices by ZoomCar hosts and highlight the growing need for customer protection in India’s app-based service ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the main issue raised by Gaurav Bhargava against ZoomCar?
He was cheated by a ZoomCar host who took ₹7,700 as prepayment and later cancelled the booking without refund.
Q2. Is ZoomCar responsible for host fraud?
Yes. Under consumer law, platforms are accountable for the actions of their authorized hosts.
Q3. Can this be treated as online fraud?
Yes, as the payment was made digitally and misused under false representation.
Q4. What evidence is needed to file a complaint?
Transaction receipts, chat/email communication, and the booking ID.
Q5. How can consumers file cyber fraud complaints?
Through https://cybercrime.gov.in under “Online Financial Fraud.”
Q6. What action can the Consumer Forum take?
It can direct ZoomCar to refund the full amount and pay compensation for mental harassment.
Q7. How long does it take to get a refund via Consumer Forum?
Usually 30–90 days depending on the case.
Q8. Is the host or the company liable in such cases?
Both — as per Indian law, the platform is vicariously liable for partner actions.
Q9. Can FIR be filed against a ZoomCar host?
Yes, under IPC Section 420 for cheating.
Q10. What should you do if ZoomCar falsely marks cancellation as customer-initiated?
Immediately email evidence and escalate to the RBI Ombudsman if payment was via card.
Q11. Can Choice4Voice.com publish such complaints?
Yes, Choice4Voice.com publicly publishes verified consumer complaints to increase accountability.
Q12. What are RBI guidelines on refunds in aggregator services?
RBI mandates prompt refund for failed or fraudulent transactions.
Q13. What precautions should customers take when renting cars online?
Avoid off-platform payments and keep all chats and receipts for proof.
Q14. How to contact ZoomCar customer care officially?
Through their in-app chat or official email: support@zoomcar.com.
Q15. What penalty applies for cheating via digital means?
Up to 3 years imprisonment or fine under IT Act Section 66D.
Q16. Can I demand compensation for time loss and inconvenience?
Yes, via Consumer Forum you can claim both refund and compensation.
Q17. What happens if ZoomCar ignores complaints?
The matter can be escalated to RBI Ombudsman and Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Q18. Does ZoomCar verify its hosts?
Yes, but lapses in verification have caused multiple fraud cases, as seen publicly on LinkedIn.
Q19. How can such scams be prevented in future?
By enforcing stricter host onboarding and full transparency in customer refunds.
Q20. Why should consumers publish their cases on Choice4Voice.com?
Because public visibility compels brands to act faster and ensures other consumers stay informed.
