Bhubaneswar/Puri: With lakhs of devotees expected to converge on Puri for the annual Rath Yatra on July 16, the Odisha Crime Branch has ramped up efforts to combat rising online hotel booking frauds, blocking around 50 fraudulent websites in the past week alone.
The operation targets scam portals that mimic legitimate hotels, offering unrealistically low rates, promises of VIP darshan at the Jagannath Temple, and demanding full advance payments through UPI or digital wallets. These fake sites often appear high in search results by cloning official hotel pages or creating convincing replicas.
IGP (Crime Branch) Sarthak Sarangi stated that the department’s social media patrolling team identified and facilitated the blocking of these 50 platforms over seven days. “These portals were designed to dupe unsuspecting visitors,” he told TOI.
Notably, complaints had surged via the cyber crime helpline 1930, with additional alerts from hoteliers and government agencies. Police data indicates that at least 30 tourists lost nearly Rs 5 lakh in the past year to similar online hotel booking scams in Odisha. In the last fortnight alone, four devotees were reportedly cheated of about Rs 35,000.
In previous phases, 11 to 23 fake sites targeting Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, were blocked. “We strongly advise visitors to verify the authenticity of booking platforms and rely only on official hotel websites or recognised travel portals. Devotees should cross-check contact details, avoid paying the entire amount upfront, and be wary of deals that look too good to be true,” Sarangi urged caution.
As preparations for the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath gain momentum, police have urged pilgrims to prioritise safety to ensure a hassle-free spiritual experience.
Safety Tips for Devotees
Book directly through verified hotel websites or established platforms.
Cross-verify phone numbers and addresses.
Avoid full upfront payments; opt for partial or secure methods.
Report suspicious sites immediately to helpline 1930.
