Cyber fraud alert: Pilgrims organizing their spiritual pilgrimage to destinations such as Kedarnath and Somnath are now the new target of cyber fraudsters. These fraudsters are creating false tour websites and ads to catch innocent pilgrims and rob them of their money. A government-run cyber safety organization has posted a warning on X (formerly Twitter), requesting people to avoid such false portals and book tours only through official websites.
Fake Portals for Pilgrims
CyberDost I4C, a government cyber safety agency, shared a notice stating that scammers are carrying out fake ads and replica websites to catch people going on religious pilgrimages. Fake tour packages to Somnath and Kedarnath are being advertised online using such sites. As soon as a user logs in and pays, they tend to lose money. The agency has asked everyone to book tours only from the official websites.
How Frauds Create Duplicate Websites
These fraudsters create duplicate websites with near-identical names to the original portals. These pages are ingeniously created to gather individuals’ and banking details in the guise of making payment. If one provides their financial credentials, it can result in heavy economic losses. Individuals become victims as the sites are well-designed and have similar domain names as the original sites.
Tips to Identify Fake Websites
Detecting a spurious website can go a long way towards avoiding a cyber scam. One must begin with carefully looking at the URL—scammers tend to make minor spelling changes to replicate well-known sites. Also, one must confirm the type of domain. Well-known sites typically employ domains such as .com or .org, whereas imitated ones may employ questionable extensions such as .xyz or .info. Although HTTPS is an indicator of a secure connection, some spurious sites employ it too, so additional checks must be conducted.
Verify Website Design and Contact Information
Spurious sites generally have low design quality and contain spelling or formatting mistakes. Such mistakes can be signs of trouble. Secondly, validating contact information is important. One can attempt calling the number stated on the site to test whether it’s authentic or not. Genuine sites will contain proper and active customer care contacts.
Make Use of CyberDost for Authentic Alerts
CyberDost’s X account on Twitter is a sure bet for information and alerts on the most recent cyber scams. Following their tweets can make users well aware of the changing modus operandi of scammers. This is particularly helpful for tourists and pilgrims who usually are not aware of such online threats.
Digital Safety While Booking Tours
To make safe bookings, do not click on arbitrary tour package ads on websites or social media. Double-check the URL, look for official sources, and never pay on suspect portals. Making bookings through certified travel agencies or government websites is the safest path.