Kayak Scam
Imagine a young man, just 22 years old, stepping into the world with a heart full of courage. For the first time, he takes on the responsibility of booking and paying for a flight, solo, to be with his father, a veteran battling the invisible wounds of Complex PTSD. The Fourth of July, a day of celebration for many, is a nightmare for this father, haunted by the echoes of explosions and the trauma of his past. This son, Isaac, wanted nothing more than to be by his dad’s side, a quiet pillar of strength amidst the chaos. But a cruel, calculated scam shattered that plan, leaving me, a family friend who watched this unfold—infuriated beyond words.
A Plan to Be There
Isaac had flown extensively, a seasoned traveler despite his youth, but never before had he navigated the booking process alone. With a mix of excitement and nerves, he used Kayak.com to find a flight from New Orleans to Wichita. The plan was simple: land on July 3, 2025, a day before the holiday, to be there when the fireworks began to rattle his father’s fragile peace. He found a $251.13 deal on Southwest Airlines —a ticket that promised to carry him to his father’s side. Little did he know, this was the bait in a vicious trap set by predators.
The Trap Snaps Shut
The very next day, June 16, 2025, a call came from 432-218-0672—a Texas number tied to Flight Mover, LLC. An agent, with a voice dripping with deceit, claimed Isaac’s booking was in a “restricted cabin” that banned all luggage. This was a brazen, demonstrable lie. Southwest Airlines’ official policy guarantees every passenger a carry-on, a personal item, and two free checked bags. No such restriction exists.
Yet, this agent canceled Isaac’s legitimate flight without consent and pressured him into an American Airlines “Basic Economy” ticket for $549.00. This new flight departed a day later, on July 4, 2025—the very day his father needed him most. This wasn’t an “upgrade”; it was a malicious downgrade, stripping away free checked bags and shoving him to the last boarding group for more than double the price. This wasn’t a sale; it was extortion.
The Fallout
The scam delayed Isaac’s arrival, forcing his father to face the worst of the Fourth of July’s triggers alone. Devastated and desperate to get there, Isaac tried to fix the mess, paying an $80.00 fee to change the fraudulent ticket, only to find it futile. Left without a viable flight, he was forced to buy an entirely new ticket for $448.36 and pay an additional $15.59 fee, bringing his total out-of-pocket loss to a staggering $1,092.95. American Airlines, upon hearing of the fraud, issued a non-cash travel credit of $247.37, but it was too late to undo the damage.1 The net financial loss stands at $845.58.
The Culprits Behind the Cruelty
This wasn’t a mistake—it was a calculated scheme by Flight Mover, LLC, an entity registered in Wyoming but hiding behind a mail forwarding service at 1317 Edgewater Drive, Unit 5048, Orlando, FL. This transnational network, operated by individuals including
Anjali Grover, Akshey Grover, and Arpit Grover, includes affiliates like Fly Vault Travels (Houston, TX), Plane to Paradise and Travel Merry (Easton, PA), and Trip Contrast (Nazareth, PA).
| Entity / Individual | Role/Relationship | Location / Address | Connection to Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Mover, LLC | Primary Fraudulent Actor | Registered: Wyoming Principal Address: 1317 Edgewater Dr, Unit 5048, Orlando, FL (Mail Forwarding Service) | The central entity that processed the fraudulent transaction, made false claims, and has a documented pattern of consumer complaints (BBB “F” Rating). |
| Kayak.com | Facilitating Platform | N/A | Presented Flight Mover as a legitimate vendor, lending credibility and directly enabling the initial transaction. |
| FLIGHTMOVER LTD | International Affiliate | United Kingdom | Demonstrates the transnational nature of the operation, used to obscure ownership and complicate enforcement. |
| flightmover.in | International Operation | India | The use of Indian domains and personnel indicates a global operational footprint. |
| Fly Vault Travels | U.S. Affiliate | 10710 Shady Cyn, Houston, TX | Explicitly named in booking documents as an entity that may process charges. Linked to the same principals and investigated for identical fraudulent practices. |
| Plane to Paradise | U.S. Affiliate | 2706 Victoria Ln, Easton, PA | Named in booking documents as an entity that may process charges. |
| Travel Merry | U.S. Affiliate | 2706 Victoria Ln, Easton, PA | Named in booking documents as an entity that may process charges. |
| Trip Contrast | U.S. Affiliate | 3572 Neville Way, Nazareth, PA | Named in booking documents as an entity that may process charges. |
| Globe Technotonics LLC | Associated Entity | 10710 Shady Cyn, Houston, TX | Shares a residential address with Fly Vault Travels, suggesting a connection to the same principals. |
| Anjali Grover | Known Principal | N/A | Linked in public records and media reports as a registered agent/principal for the affiliated companies. |
| Akshey Grover | Known Principal | N/A | Linked in public records and media reports as a registered agent/principal for the affiliated companies. |
| Arpit Grover | Known Principal | N/A | Linked in public records and media reports as a registered agent/principal for the affiliated companies. |
| (432) 218-0672 | Operational Contact | N/A | Phone number used by the agent to make the fraudulent claims and coerce the new purchase. |
| (855) 738-4107 | Published Contact | N/A | Phone number published in email communications. |
And who facilitated this? Kayak.com, a trusted name that recklessly presented Flight Mover as a legitimate vendor, ignoring its BBB “F” rating and a clear public pattern of identical complaints.
A Call for Justice
I am furious that a young man’s selfless act was hijacked by these predators. The Grovers and their network have turned travel into a battlefield, exploiting trust for profit. Their tactics violate federal laws (49 U.S.C. § 41712, 14 C.F.R. Part 399) and Mississippi’s felony theft by false pretense statute (Miss. Code Ann. § 97-19-39), an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Kayak’s negligence provided the platform for this crime, and we demand accountability from both.
Isaac’s story isn’t just his—it’s a warning. We have filed formal complaints with the FTC, econsumer.gov, DOT, BBB, and the Attorneys General of Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. A final demand for the full
$1,092.95 in damages was sent to Flight Mover today, July 3, 2025. If they fail to comply, we will pursue every available legal and criminal avenue.
This scam stole more than money—it stole a son’s chance to comfort his father when he was most vulnerable. Let’s make sure it’s the last time.
Stay vigilant, internet users and travellers. Vet your booking sites, and let’s hold these companies accountable.
