Ahead of the Char Dham Yatra season, the Cyber Crime Branch of Rajasthan Police has issued a warning about the increasing online fraud cases targeting pilgrims. The advisory, directed by Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Crime) V.K. Singh, aims to safeguard devotees from cybercriminals offering fake helicopter bookings, hotel reservations, and VIP darshan services. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime), Shantanu Kumar Singh, advises devotees to make bookings only through official government portals or trusted travel agencies.
Fraudsters are using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to circulate enticing ads, promising cheap packages and instant darshan to deceive unsuspecting victims. It is strongly advised not to share UPI details, OTPs, or card information with strangers and to avoid making payments in response to unsolicited calls. The advisory stresses the importance of secure digital transactions during travel, cautioning against conducting financial transactions over public Wi-Fi networks to prevent data theft.
To enhance mobile security, pilgrims are urged to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on their devices and avoid using public USB charging ports. They are advised to share their live location only with trusted family members and be cautious of fraudulent calls from individuals posing as temple authorities or police officials. In case of emergency claims involving relatives, verification should be done directly before taking any action. If faced with cyber fraud, citizens are advised to contact the cyber helpline at 1930 or report incidents via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
