Dubai, with its shimmering skyline and reputation for luxury and order, promises thrill and safety in equal measure. For actor and reality show judge Archana Puran Singh, known for her vibrant laughter and unshakable presence on The Great Indian Kapil Show, a recent vacation with her family was meant to be just that—thrilling and safe. Alongside her husband, actor-director Parmeet Sethi, and sons Aaryamann and Ayushmaan, Archana had her sights set on a unique experience: indoor skydiving at iFly Dubai.
But what was meant to be a flight into adventure turned into a freefall into digital deceit.
The Booking That Vanished
In a vlog posted on her YouTube channel, Archana detailed how the family was duped while booking tickets online for iFly Dubai, a highly-rated indoor skydiving facility located in City Centre Mirdif. The state-of-the-art wind tunnel simulates the adrenaline of a real skydive—without jumping out of a plane. However, when the family arrived at the venue, their excitement quickly gave way to confusion.
“We had booked three slots in iFly Dubai, but this lady is saying that we have no booking,” Archana says in the video, visibly disappointed. “We have been scammed because the website where we made the payment is not theirs. We have already paid and the tickets are not cheap… Dubai mein hamare paise doob gaye (we lost our money in Dubai).”
“This Can’t Happen in Dubai…”
What stung more was the unexpectedness of it all. Dubai, known globally for its strict cyber regulations and law enforcement, didn’t seem like the place where such a scam could take place. “I never expected this to happen in Dubai,” Archana said. “There are such strict rules and laws. People are scared of doing such things.”
Parmeet Sethi, equally taken aback, added, “I am shocked… Thousands of rupees are gone.” He later paid in cash for the real tickets, joking with uncertainty, “Pata chale yahi scam hai” (What if this too turns out to be a scam?).
The Subtle Red Flags
The sons, Aaryamann and Ayushmaan, soon began piecing together subtle signs they had missed. Aaryamann recalled a technical glitch while booking—selecting a four-minute flight that suddenly shifted to two minutes when redirected to another page. He brushed it off then, assuming it was a system error. Ayushmaan pointed out that the site had offered a “Ramadan discount”—even though the holy month had long ended. By then, the fraudulent site had vanished without a trace.
The Bigger Picture
Archana didn’t reveal exactly how much money they lost, but the experience serves as a sobering reminder of how even tech-savvy, well-travelled individuals can fall prey to online fraud. It also reminds us that scams no longer wear obvious disguises—they often hide behind slick websites, seasonal offers, and urgent payment portals.
The vlog, while infused with the family’s trademark humour and candour, carries an undertone of warning. In a world where experiences can be bought online in a click, verifying authenticity is no longer just a good idea—it’s essential.
Flying Dreams, Ground Realities
According to the official iFly Dubai website, guests are advised to book in advance and check restrictions carefully before making a reservation. The facility offers a thrilling experience that simulates freefall using a vertical wind tunnel—a safe and exhilarating taste of skydiving. But as Archana’s experience shows, there’s a world of difference between a legitimate thrill and a costly misstep.
But what was meant to be a flight into adventure turned into a freefall into digital deceit.
The Booking That Vanished
In a vlog posted on her YouTube channel, Archana detailed how the family was duped while booking tickets online for iFly Dubai, a highly-rated indoor skydiving facility located in City Centre Mirdif. The state-of-the-art wind tunnel simulates the adrenaline of a real skydive—without jumping out of a plane. However, when the family arrived at the venue, their excitement quickly gave way to confusion.
“We had booked three slots in iFly Dubai, but this lady is saying that we have no booking,” Archana says in the video, visibly disappointed. “We have been scammed because the website where we made the payment is not theirs. We have already paid and the tickets are not cheap… Dubai mein hamare paise doob gaye (we lost our money in Dubai).”
“This Can’t Happen in Dubai…”
What stung more was the unexpectedness of it all. Dubai, known globally for its strict cyber regulations and law enforcement, didn’t seem like the place where such a scam could take place. “I never expected this to happen in Dubai,” Archana said. “There are such strict rules and laws. People are scared of doing such things.”
Parmeet Sethi, equally taken aback, added, “I am shocked… Thousands of rupees are gone.” He later paid in cash for the real tickets, joking with uncertainty, “Pata chale yahi scam hai” (What if this too turns out to be a scam?).
The Subtle Red Flags
The sons, Aaryamann and Ayushmaan, soon began piecing together subtle signs they had missed. Aaryamann recalled a technical glitch while booking—selecting a four-minute flight that suddenly shifted to two minutes when redirected to another page. He brushed it off then, assuming it was a system error. Ayushmaan pointed out that the site had offered a “Ramadan discount”—even though the holy month had long ended. By then, the fraudulent site had vanished without a trace.
The Bigger Picture
Archana didn’t reveal exactly how much money they lost, but the experience serves as a sobering reminder of how even tech-savvy, well-travelled individuals can fall prey to online fraud. It also reminds us that scams no longer wear obvious disguises—they often hide behind slick websites, seasonal offers, and urgent payment portals.
The vlog, while infused with the family’s trademark humour and candour, carries an undertone of warning. In a world where experiences can be bought online in a click, verifying authenticity is no longer just a good idea—it’s essential.
Flying Dreams, Ground Realities
According to the official iFly Dubai website, guests are advised to book in advance and check restrictions carefully before making a reservation. The facility offers a thrilling experience that simulates freefall using a vertical wind tunnel—a safe and exhilarating taste of skydiving. But as Archana’s experience shows, there’s a world of difference between a legitimate thrill and a costly misstep.
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