More Complaints Filed Against Local Travel Agency

The Bridgewater Township Police Department is continuing to investigate a report into fraudulent business practices by HK Travel, on Milltown Road, with up to 26 complaints already filed.

According to police, 26 separate individuals from seven different states have alleged that HK Travel stole money intended to be used for purchasing airline tickets to foreign countries, mostly India.

HK Travel owner Seshmudah Sunkara, 39, was initially arrested July 29 on charges of defrauding a South Brunswick family out of $9,000. South Brunswick Police said a local family reported that the tickets that had been purchased from HK Travel were found to be fraudulent.

Police said the family had made reservations online and spoke to Sunkara over the phone for plans for a trip to India. Sunkara, police said, then provided e-tickets for the nine family members, but, when they arrived at the airport, they were told their e-ticket confirmation numbers were fraudulent.

Sunkara was then transported to Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, but was released after posting bail.

Since the arrest, police said, more victims began to come forward, with a possible cumulative theft of more than $140,000.

The police department is encouraging other individuals who may have had difficulty receiving airline tickets from HK Travel to report the incident.

Those with information about the case should contact Bridgewater Township Police Detective Scott Slepokura at 908-722-4111, ext. 4156.