The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned against rising online booking scams targeting tourists via fake websites and social media ads. Citizens are urged to verify platforms before payments and report fraud through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal or helpline 1930.

Mumbai: The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned the public about online booking scams, particularly those that target tourists and religious pilgrims nationwide. According to the officials, these scams are being carried out via Facebook postings, phoney websites, misleading social media profiles, and sponsored ads on search engines like Google.

According to statistics, Mumbai recorded 19 cases involving bogus websites in the first quarter of this year; just four of these cases were found, and three people were taken into custody.

The officials claim that these scams entail the establishment of phoney but professional-looking websites, social media profiles, and WhatsApp accounts that offer services like online taxi and taxi service bookings, holiday packages, religious tours, and helicopter reservations for Kedarnath, Chaar Dhaam, pilgrims’ guest houses, and hotels.

“Unsuspecting individuals, upon making payments through these portals, often realise they have been duped when no confirmation or service is received, and the contact numbers go unreachable,” the alert read.

“Be sure a website is legitimate before making a purchase.  When clicking on “sponsored” or unidentified links on Facebook, WhatsApp, or Google, exercise caution. To double-check reservations, only utilise trustworthy travel agencies or official government websites.  The warning further said, “Report such websites right away at the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 in case of any fraud.”

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre is taking several steps to stop these scams. Scam signals are often communicated with IT intermediaries like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp for proactive identification. States and UTS where crimes originate are being made more aware of cybercrime hotspots. Fake websites /advertisements and impersonating social media accounts are being deleted periodically to safeguard citizens. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal’s suspect checking and reporting tool was created to make reporting easier, according to government representatives.