Rath Yatra: Crime Branch issues alert on fake hotel booking scams, takes down several fake websites

With the annual Rath Yatra just days away, the Odisha Crime Branch has issued a public advisory warning pilgrims and tourists about a sharp rise in online hotel booking scams in key cities, including Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.

According to the official release, cyber fraudsters are operating fake hotel websites and social media handles that closely resemble legitimate travel portals. These platforms lure potential victims with attractive discounts, guaranteed bookings, and urgent deals, demanding full advance payments via UPI apps, wallets, or direct bank transfers. The fraud typically comes to light when tourists arrive at their destination and find no reservation.

The Cyber Crime Wing of Odisha Police has already received 317 complaints related to such scams via the national Cyber Crime Helpline (1930). A number of fraudulent websites have been taken down, including: hoteldeepganga.com, mayfairheritagepuri.org, otdcpanthanivaspuri.in, hotelspuri.net are among others.

Crime Branch Advisory Ahead of Rath Yatra

The Crime Branch has advised the public to take the following precautions while booking accommodation:

• Use only trusted travel portals like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, or official government tourism sites.
• Verify hotel contact details through Google Maps and confirm bookings by speaking directly with hotel staff.
• Avoid making full advance payments; use secure payment gateways.
• Always obtain a written confirmation and booking ID.
• Be cautious of offers with significantly low rates, especially during festival times.
• Check online reviews through platforms like Google and TripAdvisor.

The department has urged the public to report suspicious websites or frauds to the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and follow its official handle @cybercopodisha on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for regular alerts and cyber safety updates.