As part of the Cyber Saathi campaign during the holy Rath Yatra 2026, Odisha Police’s Cyber Safety and Response Team undertook extensive awareness activities across Puri between July 12 and July 25.
The team visited 104 prominent hotels, sensitising management about ongoing fake booking scams targeting pilgrims and tourists. Hotel websites were assessed, and advisories issued to patch vulnerabilities. In a major crackdown, 81 fake hotel websites and webpages were identified and taken down.
Beyond hotels, the campaign directly engaged with 12,180 pilgrims and tourists, distributing pamphlets and spreading awareness about emerging cyber frauds. The team also facilitated the removal of 180 misleading posts and URLs related to Rath Yatra across social media platforms.
Additionally, 291 missing mobile phone complaints were registered on the CEIR portal during the festival period.
Odisha Police appealed to all citizens, devotees, and tourists to remain vigilant, verify hotel bookings only through genuine sources, and cooperate with authorities in promoting a safe, secure, and cyber‑aware environment during the sacred festival.
