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Cyber fraudsters have become active before the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand STF has made special preparations to crack down on these cyber fraudsters. Strict action will be taken against these cyber criminals who cheat the devotees of Char Dham. A masterplan has been prepared to expose their entire fraud.
Booking is done at the very beginning
As soon as the Char Dham Yatra season begins in Uttarakhand, devotees going to Kedarnath and Badrinath start booking helicopters. These bookings are done online. Bookings for many days are done at the very beginning. This is where the game of cyber fraudsters begins.
Victims of fraud through fake websites and Facebook
Cyber fraudsters make fake bookings of religious devotees through fake websites and Facebook. Believing the booking to be correct, when the devotees reach Badrinath and Kedarnath, they come to know that their booking has not been done. Then they come to know that they have been cheated. Due to this, they not only suffer financial loss. Along with this, they also have to face problems.
Uttarakhand STF deployed a team
To stop cyber frauds in the Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand STF has deployed a team, which is keeping an eye on Facebook and other mediums. Along with this, it is also getting these fake websites closed. For this, orders have also been obtained from the court.
Publicity to make people aware
According to STF, the fraudsters target the bookings for the months of May and June. There is a huge crowd of devotees in both these months. Fraudsters try to take advantage of this. In view of this, publicity is also being done through many mediums to make people aware. Cases are also being filed against fraudsters.
Cyber fraudsters lure with attractive offers
According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, in these scams, professional looking but fake websites, social media profiles and WhatsApp accounts are created and attractive offers are given to the customers so that the customers are motivated to book online after seeing their benefits. Scammers offer the following services on these fake websites.
- Helicopter Booking for Kedarnath, Char Dham
- Guest House and Hotel Booking for Pilgrims
- Online Cab/Taxi Service Booking
- Holiday Packages and Religious Tours
Take the following precautions to avoid cyber crimes while booking tickets online for Char Dham Yatra. First of all, use the official website only while booking tickets for Char Dham. Book only from the website of Uttarakhand Tourism Department or IRCTC. Avoid unknown or suspicious websites.
Beware of fake websites
- Cyber thugs create professional looking fake websites, which cheat in the name of helicopter booking, hotel, or
- guest house booking.
- Check the URL of the website carefully. Choose a site starting with “https://” and with a trusted domain.
- Verify before clicking on “sponsored” or unknown links on Google or social media.
- Avoid unknown calls and messages
- Cyber criminals lure helicopter service, VIP darshan, or cheap packages through fake calls, WhatsApp
- messages, or SMS. Do not click on the link given in such calls or messages, as they can siphon off money from your bank account.
Verification before payment
- Check the authenticity of the website or travel agency before making any payment. Consult a local bank or travel agent.
- Use secure payment gateways (such as UPI, net banking) while making online payments and do not share OTP.
Be alert on social media
- Fake profiles and advertisements are common on Facebook, WhatsApp, or other social media. Through these, fraud takes place in the name of helicopter booking or hotel booking. Book only from trusted travel agencies or government portals.
- Uttarakhand Police has issued numbers (9456591505, 9412080875) for cyber police station, where complaints can be lodged with screenshots.
