National: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through its Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has sounded a nationwide alarm regarding a disturbing escalation in online booking scams specifically preying on religious travelers and tourists. This urgent advisory, released today, highlights the cunning tactics employed by cybercriminals who are leveraging deceptive websites, fake social media profiles, fraudulent WhatsApp accounts, and even paid advertisements on prominent platforms like Google and Facebook to ensnare unsuspecting individuals.
These fraudulent schemes often exhibit a high degree of sophistication, meticulously mimicking genuine service providers to deceive users into making payments for travel and accommodation arrangements that ultimately do not exist. The I4C has pinpointed specific instances of fraud involving counterfeit helicopter bookings for the revered Kedarnath and Char Dham Yatra, as well as fictitious hotel and guest house reservations, sham taxi and cab services, and entirely fabricated religious travel packages.
The MHA explicitly stated, “These platforms are intentionally crafted to resemble genuine travel service providers and mislead users into making advance payments.” Tragically, victims frequently receive no confirmation of their bookings and are left with no recourse to contact the supposed providers once their money has been transferred.
In response to this escalating threat, the I4C is deploying a comprehensive strategy involving close collaboration with major tech intermediaries such as Google, WhatsApp, and Facebook to proactively identify and remove malicious content. Simultaneously, the agency is coordinating closely with police forces across all states and union territories to monitor cybercrime hotspots and ensure cohesive enforcement efforts.
Furthermore, cyber patrolling activities are being intensified to swiftly detect and shut down fake websites and impersonating social media accounts. In a significant move to empower citizens, the Centre has introduced a new feature on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in), allowing users to verify the legitimacy of websites and report suspicious ones. Individuals who have fallen victim to cyber fraud can also seek immediate assistance by calling the dedicated cybercrime helpline number 1930.
Underscoring the critical nature of this alert, the Ministry emphasized that this proactive measure is aimed at protecting religious pilgrims and tourists, particularly during peak travel seasons when the prevalence of such scams tends to reach its zenith.
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