Bhubaneswar: With the Rath Yatra festival approaching, the Odisha Crime Branch has issued a stern warning against the surge in online hotel booking scams, particularly targeting travellers heading to Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.

In a press release issued today, the Crime Branch revealed that fraudsters have created numerous fake websites and social media pages mimicking popular hotels and tourism platforms. These fake platforms offer attractive rates and guaranteed bookings, tricking customers into making full advance payments through UPI, digital wallets, or bank transfers. Victims often discover they’ve been duped only upon reaching their destination.

The Crime Branch has already received 317 complaints related to such scams through the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930). Immediate action has been taken, with several fraudulent websites being taken down during routine cyber surveillance and upon receiving complaints.

As many as 11 fake hotel booking websites have been identified and removed.

The Crime Branch’s social media team is actively monitoring digital platforms to detect and neutralise such frauds. “Ensuring a safe and scam-free experience for all during this sacred festival remains a top priority,” said the agency.

Citizens have been advised to book accommodations only through verified travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Booking.com, or official tourism websites. The advisory also urges users to:

1. Verify hotel contact details via Google Maps and confirm bookings directly.

2. Avoid full advance payments; opt for partial payments via secure gateways.

3. Be wary of unrealistic deals, particularly around the Rath Yatra season.

4. Check recent reviews and ratings before booking.

5. Report suspicious sites immediately to the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).

To raise awareness, regular alerts and safety tips are being shared via the Crime Branch’s official cyber safety social media handle @cybercopodisha on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.