I4C Issues Nationwide Alert as Cyber Fraud Hits Pilgrims With False Bookings

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Home Ministry has given a countrywide alert following a sharp increase in online booking frauds targeting growing numbers of religious pilgrims and tourists across India.

- NARESH BISWANI

NEW DELHI: The frauds are being carried out by professionally made lookalike websites, spoofed social media profiles, and search engine pay-per-click advertisements on Google.

Fraudsters have been enticing unsuspecting pilgrims with tempting deals for helicopter bookings to Kedarnath and the Chaar Dhaam, guest house and hotel stays around temples, online taxi services, and religious tour packages. The victims realise they have been conned only when no service is provided after payment, and all contact with the service provider is lost.