New Delhi, April 19 — The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a public advisory urging pilgrims and tourists to remain cautious of online booking scams, especially those targeting devotees of the Char Dham pilgrimage and travelers across India. The alert was released through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates under the Ministry.
As per agency report, the warning highlights a rise in online frauds being carried out through fake websites, misleading social media pages, sponsored Facebook posts, and deceptive Google ads. These fraudulent activities are designed to trick unsuspecting users into making payments for non-existent services.
Scammers reportedly use professional-looking fake websites, social media profiles, and WhatsApp accounts to lure victims with offers such as helicopter bookings for Kedarnath, guest house and hotel reservations for Char Dham pilgrims, cab and taxi services, holiday packages, and religious tour deals.
The ministry advised the public to exercise extreme caution while making online transactions. Users are urged to verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments, avoid clicking on sponsored or unfamiliar links on platforms like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and make bookings only through official government portals or reputed travel agencies.
The statement also emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious websites or fraudulent activity to the cybercrime helpline immediately, reinforcing the government’s commitment to combating digital financial frauds targeting religious and tourism-related services.
