Cyber Fraud Alert: Ministry Of Home Affairs Warns Citizens About Fake Booking Websites Targeting Pilgrims And Tourists

Mumbai: The Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued an alert for the public about online booking frauds, especially those targeting religious pilgrims and tourists across the country. These frauds are being perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines like Google, the officials said.

Statistics have revealed that in the first quarter this year, a total 19 fake website cases were registered in Mumbai, out of which only four cases were detected and three persons were arrested.

According to the officials, these scams involve the creation of professional-looking but fake websites and social media profiles and WhatsApp accounts offering services such as Helicopter booking for Kedarnath, Chaar Dhaam, guest house and hotel booking for pilgrims, online cab/taxi service bookings, holiday packages and religious tours.

"Unsuspecting individuals, upon making payments through these portals, often realize they have been duped when no confirmation or service is received, and the contact numbers go unreachable," the alert added.

"Always verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments. Verify before clicking on “sponsored” or unknown links on Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp. Cross-check bookings only through official government portals or trusted travel agencies. Report such websites immediately at the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 in case of any frauds," the alert further stated.

"To contain the scams, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre is taking several measures to curb these scams. Scam Signals are being regularly exchanged with IT intermediaries viz. Google, WhatsApp, Facebook for proactive detection. Cybercrime hotspots are being identified and State / UTs from where crimes originate are being sensitized. Fake websites /advertisements and impersonating social media accounts access are being disabled periodically to protect citizens. Suspect checking and reporting feature on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal is developed to facilitate hassle free reporting," the government officials said.