New Delhi: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a critical alert to the public regarding a surge in online booking scams targeting Char Dham pilgrims and domestic tourists.
These deceptive activities are being executed through counterfeit websites, misleading social media pages, and fraudulent paid advertisements on major search engines, including Google.
In an official statement, the Home Ministry warned that cybercriminals are creating highly professional and convincing platforms to dupe unsuspecting individuals.
These platforms often offer fake services such as helicopter bookings for Kedarnath, hotel and guest house accommodations along the Char Dham route, online cab and taxi reservations, and curated holiday and religious tour packages. Victims of these scams typically realize they’ve been defrauded only after making payments, as no confirmation or service is delivered.
🔰 #I4C alerts public about online booking scams impersonating religious institutions and tourist services
🔰 These frauds are being perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines like Google
🔰 These…
— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 19, 2025
To counter this growing menace, the ministry has strongly advised the public to remain vigilant. “Always verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments. Avoid clicking on unknown or sponsored links across platforms like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp,” the statement emphasized.
The government also urged citizens to report any suspicious websites or fraudulent activity immediately via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal or by calling the toll-free number 1930.
To proactively combat these scams, I4C has deployed a comprehensive multi-layered approach.
A key strategy involves the exchange of scam signals with digital intermediaries like Google, WhatsApp, and Facebook to enable early detection and prompt takedown of fraudulent content.
Further, cybercrime hotspots across states and Union Territories are being closely monitored, with local authorities being sensitized about emerging threats. Steps are being taken to identify and disable fake websites and impersonate social media accounts.
