Four French tourists cheated of Rs 4.4 lakh

Four French tourists to this hill town were today reportedly cheated of Rs 4.4 lakh by a driver who promised to take them around nearby tourist spots, but vanished after taking the money in Euro denomination, police said.
The tourists, a man, his wife and two of their friends, were staying at a cottage near the lake here. The French speaking jeep driver befriended them when they went to Masinagudi and convinced them he would show them around major tourist spots for Rs 5,535, police said.
Believing him, the tourists checked out from their cottage after paying him Euros 5,535 (One Euro is Rs 85). They realised they had been cheated when the driver did not return after taking the money.

Police said the tourists enlisted the help of a French college lecturer and later lodged a complaint and added that a search was on for the driver.