Rajasthan-Based Gang Busted for Defrauding Tourists Ahead of Puri Rath Yatra with Fake Hotel Websites
317 Tourists Duped as Rath Yatra Begins Amid Heightened Police Vigilance
Just a day before the commencement of the world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha Crime Branch has uncovered a major online scam in which 317 unsuspecting tourists were defrauded by a Rajasthan-based gang. The fraudsters had set up a network of fake hotel booking websites to exploit the seasonal surge in demand for accommodations in Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack during the annual festival.
Fake Hotel Websites Target Pilgrims
According to officials, the gang created fake websites mimicking legitimate hotels and also fabricated entirely non-existent properties, offering heavy discounts and guaranteed bookings to attract pilgrims. These fraudulent platforms looked authentic, often using real hotel names such as “Hotel Deep Ganga,” “Mayfair Heritage,” and “Hotel Intercity” and including the word “hotel” in the domain name to boost their ranking in Google search results.
Tourists were lured into making full advance payments via UPI, digital wallets, or online bank transfers. However, upon arrival, they discovered that no reservations had been made in their names.
Websites Blocked, Investigation Underway
The Odisha Crime Branch acted swiftly and managed to identify and block 11 such fake websites within two days. Among the blocked URLs were:
“These websites often came up on top in Google search results, making them hard to distinguish from real hotel portals,” said a statement issued by the Crime Branch.
Fake Customer Support and Receipts
The gang didn’t stop at fake websites. They also set up fraudulent customer care numbers and issued fake booking receipts to reinforce their credibility. Many victims only realised they had been duped upon reaching the destination.
Authorities Warn and Urge Vigilance
Inspector General Sarthak Sarangi revealed that over 317 complaints have been received so far through the cybercrime helpline number 1930. “The total amount lost in the scam is yet to be calculated but is believed to run into lakhs of rupees,” he said.
Crime Branch Director General Vinaytosh Mishra has formed a dedicated social media monitoring team to flag suspicious websites and alert Google for swift takedown in future cases. “We are on high alert. Any such websites found online will be reported and blocked immediately,” he assured.
Tourist Safety Measures Advised
The Crime Branch has advised pilgrims to take the following precautions when booking hotels:
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Cross-check hotel details on Google Maps.
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Use official or well-known booking platforms like MakeMyTrip.
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Avoid paying the full amount in advance.
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Use secure payment gateways instead of UPI transfers.
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Verify phone numbers through reliable sources.
“If anyone suspects they are being scammed, they should contact the cybercrime helpline at 1930,” the department added.
Puri Gears Up for Rath Yatra
As Puri prepares for the grand Rath Yatra on June 27, law enforcement agencies are on high alert to ensure a safe and scam-free experience for devotees and visitors. The incident has spotlighted the need for greater digital awareness and vigilance, particularly during high-traffic tourist seasons.
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