Cops shut down 11 fake platforms scamming tourists
Police authorities have received 317 complaints regarding fraudulent hotel booking websites in recent months.
"The total fraud amount of 317 complaints is still being assessed but certainly runs into lakhs of rupees. We promptly intervened and took down 11 such fake portals," said IG (Crime Branch) Sarthak Sarangi.
The scammers operated by creating convincing replicas of legitimate booking platforms, targeting visitors planning trips to popular destinations like Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.
These fake websites appeared prominently in Google search results, offering attractively low rates and demanding full advance payments through UPI or digital wallets.
On Tuesday, TOI highlighted the particular nature of cyber offence. "The social media team of crime branch is actively monitoring online platforms to identify and remove such fraudulent sites. Complaints have poured in through the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, along with alerts from hotel owners and government bodies," Sarangi said.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, police authorities advise tourists to book only through verified platforms or official tourism websites. "Always cross-check hotel contact details, avoid full advance payments, and be cautious of unrealistic deals, especially during festival season," a crime branch advisory stated.
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