MHA alerts public of online booking scams impersonating religious institutions, tourist services

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued an alert to the public about online booking frauds, especially those targeting religious pilgrims and tourists across the country.

The frauds are being done though fake websites, deceptive social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines like Google.

The scams involve creating professional-looking but fake websites and social media profiles and WhatsApp accounts offering services such as helicopter booking for Kedarnath, and Chaar Dhaam, guest house and hotel booking for pilgrims, online cab/taxi service bookings, and holiday packages and religious tours

People often realise that they have been duped of money after making the payment when no confirmation or the service is received and the contact number becomes unreachable.

Here are a few guidelines to maintain caution during the booking process issued by the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.

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.

Kedarnath Helicopter booking can be done via https://www.heliyatra.irctc.co.in

Somnath Trust’s official website is https://somnath.org and guest house booking can be done via same.

Steps are being taken to counter the scam.

• Scam Signal Exchange - Scam Signals are being regularly exchanged with IT intermediaries viz. Google, WhatsApp, Facebook for proactive detection.

• Enforcement – Cybercrime Hotspots are being identified and State / UTs are being originated are being sensitized.

• Cyber Patrolling – Fake websites/advertisement and impersonating social media accounts access are being disabled on to protect citizens.

• Suspect checking and Reporting feature on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal is developed to facilitate hassle free reporting.