Two Ice Creams On The Beach Of Cap-Malheureux For Rs900
Une photo de la camionette jaune incriminée a été postée sur le réseau social Weibo.
Image by Faits sur Maurice
The incident allegedly occurred last Saturday on the beach at Cap-Malheureux. The Beach Authority has opened an investigation.
This Friday, July 1, an Indian promoter, visiting Mauritius, filed a complaint at the Grand-Baie police station. He claims to have been scammed by a merchant who charged him two ice creams at Rs 900. The Indian national filed another complaint with the Consumer Protection Unit. The Beach Authority has, for its part, opened an investigation.
According to the promoter, the incident happened last Saturday. He was in the company of a Chinese, also visiting Mauritius. The two men, who wanted an ice cream, stopped at the Cap-Malheureux beach. They then approached a yellow van to buy some. They ordered two ice creams: one vanilla and the other chocolate.
However, as soon as they were served, the trader demanded Rs 900 from them. The Indian promoter was flabbergasted. “I paid without fuss. I knew it was a scam. This is not my first visit to Mauritius,” he explains.
In shock, the promoter, which has an office in China, decided last Tuesday to publish an article on the tourist website Ctrip. The article, which has been viewed more than 72,000 times, discusses how the trader scams strangers. Additionally, a photo of the yellow van was posted on Weibo. Comments and criticisms against Mauritians were quick to flow on the social network.
Bad publicity that will harm the country, says Amardeep Seetohul, Senior Consumer Affairs Officer of the Consumer Protection Unit. Especially since the authorities are constantly increasing their efforts to attract more tourists to Mauritius. “A consumer has the right to quality service. It is very bad for the country,” he laments.
Dr. Dhuneeroy Bissessur, director of the Beach Authority, doesn't mince words either. “It tarnishes the reputation of Maurice. The trader's license will be revoked if the investigation establishes that he has deceived his customers.
According to the police, the trader would not be at his first offense. Several foreigners have filed complaints against him in the past. But the investigators did not have evidence to arrest the trader. However, in the present case, it would seem that the police have elements against him.
