As Odisha braces for the annual influx of pilgrims during the sacred Rath Yatra festival, the state’s Crime Branch has flagged a concerning rise in online hotel booking frauds.
Targeting popular destinations like Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, scammers are setting up fake websites and social media pages offering too-good-to-be-true hotel deals to unsuspecting tourists.
According to a press release by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), at least 317 complaints have been received through the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930). Fraudsters are impersonating well-known hotels, demanding full payments via UPI or digital wallets, and issuing bogus confirmation receipts. Alarmingly, many of these sites appear on top of Google search results, making them nearly indistinguishable from genuine platforms.
The CID’s Social Media Team is in high gear, actively scanning the internet and dismantling such fake websites—11 of which have already been taken down. These include impersonations of reputed establishments such as Mayfair Heritage and OTDC Panthanivas.
Fake hotel booking websites have been promptly taken down after receiving complaints or during routine cyber surveillance. Below is the list of identified and removed websites:
Sl No. Fake Website URLs
1 https://www.hoteldeepganga.com/
2 https://www.mayfairheritagepuri.org/
3 https://www.hoteltamilnadu.com/
4 https://otdcpanthanivaspuri.in
5 https://www.hotelspuri.net
6 https://hotel-panthanivas-puri-otdc.hotelsgds.com
7 https://www.hotelpathanivaspuri.site
8 https://otdcpanthanivaspuri.co.in
9 www.otdcpanthanivas.in
10 https://panthanivaspuri.co.in
11 http://thehanscocopalms.in
Travellers are being urged to stay vigilant. The CID recommends using trusted booking platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, or Booking.com, verifying hotel details via Google Maps, avoiding full prepayments, and demanding proper booking confirmations.
Citizens can follow @cybercopodisha across social media channels for real-time updates, safety tips, and scam alerts. The crackdown is part of a broader commitment to ensure a safe pilgrimage experience for millions heading to Puri this July.
**Public Message:**
– Book hotels only through verified platforms such as MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Booking.com, or official tourism websites.
– Verify the hotel’s contact number and address using Google Maps, and confirm your booking by calling the hotel directly.
– Avoid making full advance payments; if possible, pay partially and use secure payment gateways instead of direct UPI or wallet transfers.
– Always request a proper booking confirmation via SMS or email that includes a valid booking ID or invoice.
– Be wary of unrealistically low-priced deals, especially near Puri during the Rath Yatra festival.
– Read recent reviews and ratings on trusted platforms like Google or TripAdvisor before making a booking.
– If you encounter any fake hotel websites or suspicious listings, report them immediately to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
