Online Booking Frauds Targeting Pilgrims and Tourists: I4C Issues Advisory

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a nationwide alert about a growing wave of online booking frauds. These scams particularly target religious pilgrims and tourists through fake websites, misleading social media pages, and deceptive advertisements on platforms like Google and Facebook.

With a rise in digital travel bookings, fraudsters are exploiting unsuspecting individuals by setting up professional-looking yet fake portals, ultimately cheating them out of their money.

Nature of the Frauds

Fraudsters have been found creating highly convincing websites, social media accounts, and even WhatsApp profiles claiming to offer services such as:

• Helicopter bookings for Kedarnath and Chardham

• Hotel and guest house bookings for pilgrims

• Online cab and taxi services

• Holiday packages and religious tours

Once payments are made through these fake portals, victims often receive no confirmation, and the provided contact numbers become unreachable, leaving them stranded or defrauded.

Safety Advisory for the Public

I4C has strongly advised the public to exercise caution and take the following steps before making any travel-related payments online:

1. Verify the authenticity of websites and portals before proceeding with any transaction.

2. Avoid clicking on suspicious or “sponsored” links appearing in Google search results, Facebook ads, or WhatsApp messages.

3. Rely only on official portals or reputed travel agencies for bookings.

4. Report suspected frauds immediately through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal or by calling 1930.

5. Official Booking Portals:
   • Kedarnath Helicopter Services: https://www.heliyatra.irctc.co.in

   • Somnath Trust Accommodation: https://somnath.org

Read More: Be aware of the social media scams in the Indian stock market

Government Strategy to Combat Online Travel Scams

In response to the increasing threat, the I4C has initiated a multi-pronged approach to mitigate and contain these scams:

Scam Signal Exchange

Regular sharing of scam signals is being conducted with major IT intermediaries like Google, WhatsApp, and Facebook to proactively detect and block fraudulent content.

Law Enforcement Engagement

Cybercrime hotspots across states and Union Territories are being identified, and local authorities are being sensitised to respond more effectively to these frauds.

Cyber Patrolling

Proactive monitoring and disabling of fake websites, misleading advertisements, and impersonating social media accounts are being carried out regularly to safeguard digital users.

Easy Reporting Features

A new “Suspect Checking and Reporting” feature has been developed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to simplify and encourage the public to report suspicious websites and activities without hassle.

Conclusion

With the growing use of digital platforms for travel bookings, especially for religious tourism, vigilance is crucial. I4C’s advisory is a timely reminder for citizens to remain cautious and verify authenticity before transacting online. Leveraging official portals and promptly reporting suspicious links can help collectively curb the menace of online booking fraud.

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