Fake website scam of Neeladri Bhakta Nivas in Puri: Odisha Crime Branch nabs key accused, his aide

In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch (CB) of Odisha Police arrested a fraudster on the charges of cheating devotees in the name of Neeladri Bhakta Nivas, a popular lodging facility for pilgrims visiting Puri. The accused, identified as Anshuman Sharma, was taken into custody after an intense investigation revealed his involvement in creating a fake website to deceive unsuspecting pilgrims.

According to Crime Branch officials, Anshuman Sharma had set up a counterfeit website closely resembling the official portal of Neeladri Bhakta Nivas. 

Through this website, he collected online bookings and advance payments from devotees who intended to stay at the lodging house. Victims only realized they had been cheated when they reached Puri and found that no such bookings existed.

The scam came to light after multiple complaints were filed by devotees who were left stranded without accommodation upon arrival. Acting on these complaints, the Crime Branch initiated an investigation that led to the identification of the fake website and subsequently to the arrest of Anshuman Sharma.

Further investigations revealed that Anshuman was not working alone. Crime Branch officials informed that one accomplice of Anshuman, identified as Arvind Kumar, has also been arrested.

Earlier in the month of February, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri had sought legal action following the discovery of a fraudulent website that pretends to offer accommodation bookings for devotees in the 12th-century Vaishnavite shrine’s name.

Also Read: Miscreant fakes website of Bhakta Nivas in Puri; Srimandir admin seeks action

The Odisha government and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have advised devotees to use only the official website for any online bookings related to temple accommodations. They have also promised to tighten cyber monitoring and introduce security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

This incident serves as a stark reminder for travellers to remain vigilant while making online bookings, particularly when it comes to religious trips where emotional faith is often exploited.