Dikhyaa Mohanty 
With the Rath Yatra event on June 27, the Odisha Crime Branch has warned of an increase in hotel booking frauds in well-known locations including Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. Scammers are making phony websites and social media profiles that seem like authentic hotel booking services, providing alluring discounts, and requesting full payment via bank transfers, UPI, or wallets, according to a statement from the Odisha Crime Branch. Through the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, 317 complaints about fraudulent hotel booking websites were received by the Crime Branch, which has taken the appropriate measures against them. The group is keeping a close eye on internet platforms in order to identify and eliminate fraudulent websites.
“Victims often realise the scam only after reaching the destination. Several complaints have been received through the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, along with alerts from government bodies, hotel owners, and the general public regarding fake websites offering fraudulent hotel deals. The Social Media Team of Crime Branch, Odisha, is actively and continuously monitoring online platforms to detect and take down such fake sites. Ensuring a safe and scam-free experience for all during this sacred festival remains a top priority”, read the release.
The Crime Branch has identified and taken down 11 fake websites, including:
- https://www.hoteldeepganga.com/
- https://www.mayfairheritagepuri.org/
- https://www.hoteltamilnadu.com/
- https://otdcpanthanivaspuri.in
- https://www.hotelspuri.net
- https://hotel-panthanivas-puri-otdc.hotelsgds.com
- https://www.hotelpathanivaspuri.site
- https://otdcpanthanivaspuri.co.in
- www.otdcpanthanivas.in
- https://panthanivaspuri.co.in
- http://thehanscocopalms.in
Odisha Crime Branch has advised citizens to follow @cybercopodisha on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for regular updates, safety tips, and alerts. Staying connected with our official handles ensures you’re always a step ahead of cyber scammers.
To avoid falling prey to these scams, tourists are advised to:
- Book hotels only through verified platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Booking.com, etc. or official tourism websites.
- Cross-check the hotel’s contact number and address using Google Maps, and confirm the booking by calling directly.
- Avoid making full advance payments; pay partially if possible and use secure payment gateways instead of direct UPI or wallet transfers.
- Always ask for a proper booking confirmation via SMS or email with a valid booking ID or invoice.
- Be cautious of unrealistically low-priced deals, especially near Puri during Rath Yatra.
- Read recent reviews and ratings on trusted platforms like Google or TripAdvisor before booking.
- If you come across any fake hotel websites or suspicious listings, report them immediately to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
