Source: Fake websites and social media profiles.
Every year, thousands of devotees from across the country travel to Kedarnath, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India. The difficult terrain and high altitude often lead pilgrims, especially senior citizens and families, to opt for helicopter services, which promise convenience and speed. Unfortunately, this surge in demand during the peak Char Dham Yatra season has opened the door to a different kind of danger: Online ticket booking scams.
Cybercriminals are now capitalizing on devotees’ urgency, trust, and limited awareness by creating fake booking websites and impersonating official operators. These scams not only cause money loss but also lead to emotional distress and disruption of sacred travel plans.
Whether you are planning your trip or helping a loved one book their journey, staying informed is more important than ever. Here’s what you need to know.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS:
- Fake Platforms: Scammers create fake websites or social media profiles that appear to be legitimate official platforms.
- Impersonation: They pose as representatives of well-known agencies like Himalayan Heli or IRCTC.
- Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Victims are tricked by various discounts and lured into making advance payments.
- Vanishing Act: Once payment is made, scammers become unreachable, leaving victims ticketless and helpless.
RECENT INCIDENT:
In a recent case, several individuals were conned while trying to book helicopter tickets for the Char Dham Yatra. Victims paid ₹15,000 per person for a Guptkashi–Kedarnath flight and were later asked to pay an additional ₹30,000. No tickets were issued, and the agency became unreachable. Read the full details:
IMPACT:
- Financial Loss: Victims lose thousands of rupees with no way to recover the funds.
- Data Theft: Even when money isn’t lost, personal data like phone numbers, banking details, and addresses are harvested for future scams.
HOW TO STAY SAFE:
- Always book Kedarnath helicopter ticket from the official IRCTC HeliYatra Portal: http://heliyatra.irctc.co.in/
- Always verify websites and URLs before entering any information.
- Double-check social media handles. Official operators rarely offer deals through DMs.
- Never Share OTPs, Passwords, or Personal Details.
- Always verify before making payments.
- Report suspicious profiles and fraudulent ads immediately.
- Download apps only from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
ANTIFRAUD.AI – INDIA’S FIRST FRAUD PREVENTION SOLUTION
Installing AntiFraud.AI on your device is one of the smartest ways to stay protected from online scams. It keeps you safe by:
- Real-Time Alerts: Instantly alerts you when you click on suspicious links or try to install potentially harmful apps.
- Screen Sharing Alert: Detects when your phone screen is being shared and automatically blocks access to finance-related apps to prevent misuse.
- Call Forwarding Alert: Alerts users when their calls are being redirected.
- Payee Name Announcer: Alerts and helps users to avoid QR code scams.
- Secure Transactions: Alert about online banking frauds.
Always book tickets through official channels, double-check every link, and protect your devices with trusted tools like AntiFraud.AI. Let your yatra be filled with blessings and not breaches.
Stay alert. Stay secure. And spread the word to keep others safe, too.
