New Delhi— The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a nationwide alert warning citizens about a sharp rise in online booking scams, particularly targeting religious pilgrims and unsuspecting tourists.
According to I4C, cybercriminals are using fake websites, deceptive social media pages, WhatsApp accounts, and even paid advertisements on platforms like Google and Facebook to defraud users. These scams often promote enticing offers such as helicopter bookings for Kedarnath and Char Dham Yatra, hotel accommodations, cab services, and religious tour packages.
While these platforms appear legitimate, victims who make online payments frequently receive no confirmation, services, or further contact from the so-called providers.
To stay safe, the public is urged to:
Verify the authenticity of websites before making any bookings.
Avoid clicking on unfamiliar or sponsored ads on Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp.
Use only official government portals or well-known travel agencies.
For example, official Kedarnath helicopter bookings should be made through the IRCTC portal: https://www.heliyatra.irctc.co.in, and Somnath Temple guest house bookings via https://somnath.org.
Victims or those suspecting fraud can report incidents via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in or by calling the cybercrime helpline at 1930.
To combat the growing threat, I4C is implementing a multi-pronged approach:
Scam Signal Exchange with platforms like Google, WhatsApp, and Facebook to identify and remove suspicious content.
Enforcement measures in coordination with state and union territory police to crack down on cybercrime hotspots.
Cyber patrolling to detect and shut down fake websites and impersonating social media accounts.
Additionally, a new feature on the cybercrime portal allows users to quickly verify and report suspicious sites, making it easier for citizens to act against fraud.
This advisory serves as a timely reminder to exercise caution when planning travel, particularly to spiritual or high-traffic tourist destinations.
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