Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, operating under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a nationwide alert regarding a surge in online frauds aimed at pilgrims and tourists, particularly those planning visits to religious destinations like Char Dham.
According to the Ministry, cybercriminals are using fake websites, misleading social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines such as Google to deceive unsuspecting individuals. These scams often feature professionally designed platforms that appear legitimate but are used to lure victims into making advance payments for services that are never delivered.
Common fraudulent offerings include helicopter bookings for Kedarnath, hotel and guest house reservations, online cab services, and holiday or religious tour packages.
Victims typically realize they have been scammed only after making payments and receiving no confirmations, with contact numbers either going unanswered or being deactivated.
The Ministry has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow safe practices while booking travel services online. “Always verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments,” the advisory states. “Be cautious while clicking on sponsored links or promotions on Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp. Use only official government portals or trusted travel agencies for bookings.”
Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and encourage citizens to report suspicious platforms and activities.
