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Goan saves Kerala woman from getting scammed, says ‘Ma’am aap aaram se enjoy karo’
The local man threatened to call the police on two men who were trying to scam tourists from Kerala.
While most vloggers showcase Goa’s scenic beauty, one mural artist is using his platform to issue a stark warning about the "scam culture" threatening the coast. He described a landscape where scammers harass visitors, peddle overpriced packages, and damage the state's global standing.
“Tourism in Goa is under threat as touts harass and scam visitors. This menace not only damages our state’s image but also risks the livelihood of thousands who depend on tourism,” Omkar Gaddanakeri wrote.
He added, “The government must act immediately to restore trust, protect tourists, and revive Goa’s tourism industry.”
He told HT.com, “I just wanted to share what’s been happening with these timeshare guys in Goa. They run these long 3–4 hour sales pitches, and if you don’t buy, they start harassing you.”
What does the video show?
The video opens with two text inserts. While one says, “Tourists deserve safety, not scams,” the other one reads, “Goa’s reputation is at stake if touts go unchecked.”
The video captures Gaddanakeri, off-camera, suddenly stopping in the middle of the road and approaching two men speaking with a couple. He immediately questions the men and asks them to stop scamming tourists. The alleged scammers run away when he threatens to call the police.
Once that’s over, he turns his attention to the couple and does his best to explain how the men were allegedly trying to scam the couple.
How does the scam work?
The man explains that scammers typically target couples by handing out two scratch cards. While one card is a dud, the other "wins" a prize, creating a sense of excitement. Once the couple is hooked by the win, the scammers use the hype to aggressively pitch travel packages worth lakhs.
He explains to the couple that they should just enjoy Goa and not pay heed to anyone trying to give them such scratch cards. The video ends with the local asking where the couple is from, and the woman replying Kerala.
Talking about the scam Gaddanakeri told HT.com that he has already submitted a memorandum to Calangute Police, adding, “The police are actually doing daily drives and catching 10–20 touts, but still some outsiders keep coming back and targeting tourists. Because of that, Goa’s reputation takes a hit and people end up blaming Goans unfairly.”
He continued, “The truth is Goa is very welcoming — locals just want to protect their land, water, and air, so sometimes they react strongly, but that’s understandable. The real problem is these fake operators who are spoiling the name of the state.”
What did social media say?
An individual posted, “Appreciate the true Goan standing up for what is right. A rarity among rarity.” Another added, “The kind of Goa citizens we all need to save Goa.”
A third expressed, “Bro, you are doing a great job, keep going.” A fourth wrote, “My friend, I also got trapped once. 3 hours wasted, they try selling vacation packages that cost ₹2-5 lakh.”
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The Instagram user also runs a YouTube channel. The bio of the YouTube channel suggests he is a mural artist living in Goa. Gaddanakeri loves exploring new mediums, fresh ideas, and exciting places.
He wrote, “I also share my travel adventures through vlogs, combining my love for travelling and painting.”
