Bhubaneswar-As the holy festival of Rath Yatra draws near, the Odisha Crime Branch has stepped up its vigilance to counter a worrying rise in fake hotel booking scams that are targeting unsuspecting travellers, especially those headed to Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.
In an official statement, the agency revealed that fraudsters have been creating deceptive websites and social media pages, posing as well-known hotels and tourism platforms. These fake portals lure visitors with discounted deals and guaranteed bookings, only to vanish after collecting advance payments through UPI, digital wallets, or direct bank transfers. Many victims find out too late—often upon reaching their destination—that they’ve been duped.
According to the Crime Branch, a total of 317 such fraud cases have already been reported via the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930). In response, swift action has been taken: 11 fake websites have been identified and taken down during ongoing cyber surveillance and public complaints.
The agency’s cyber team is actively scanning digital platforms to catch fraudulent activities in real time. “Our priority is to ensure that pilgrims and tourists experience a safe and hassle-free journey during this auspicious time,” an official said.
Authorities are urging travellers to make hotel reservations only through trusted and verified travel platforms such as MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Booking.com, or official state tourism portals. People are also being encouraged to cross-check hotel contact information on Google Maps and confirm bookings directly before making payments.
In addition, citizens are advised to stay alert against unrealistic offers, avoid paying full amounts in advance, check online reviews, and promptly report suspicious websites or links. The public awareness campaign is being reinforced through regular posts and safety advisories on the Crime Branch’s cyber safety social media handles under the tag @cybercopodisha across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
As the state prepares to welcome lakhs of devotees and tourists, the Crime Branch’s proactivemeasures aim to protect the spirit of the Rath Yatra from falling prey to cyber criminals.
