By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS Cybertech
Every year, thousands of Indian pilgrims set out on spiritual journeys—seeking blessings, solace, and inner peace at sacred destinations like Kedarnath and Char Dham. But in 2025, as faith meets the digital age, cybercriminals have entered the temple gates—virtually.
Imagine planning your once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage, only to discover your hard-earned money vanished into a fake helicopter booking or a phantom guest house reservation.
That’s the disturbing reality prompting the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue a public alert this week. The warning is clear: be vigilant, or risk being defrauded in the name of God.
Fake Sites, Real Losses
Scammers are creating convincing, professional-looking websites, social media pages, and WhatsApp numbers that mimic legitimate platforms. They target religious tourists, particularly those booking travel for Kedarnath, Char Dham, and Somnath, offering fake helicopter rides, hotel stays, guest houses, and even full-fledged yatra packages.
These platforms often appear through sponsored ads on Google or viral posts on Facebook, drawing unsuspecting devotees with promises of availability, discounts, or convenience. Once payment is made, the perpetrators vanish—leaving victims stranded, confused, and financially drained.
What to Do If You’re Scammed
The Ministry has also shared clear instructions for victims or suspicious activity:
- Report immediately at www.cybercrime.gov.in
- Call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930
In addition, a “suspect-checking feature” has been launched on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, allowing citizens to verify suspicious websites or share scam details with authorities for investigation.
Government’s Multi-Pronged Counter-Offensive
To contain these growing scams, the I4C is implementing a multi-pronged digital defense strategy, which includes:
- Regularly flagging fake websites and social media pages
- Coordinating with IT intermediaries like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp for takedowns
- Identifying cybercrime hotspots across States and Union Territories
- Raising awareness through public alerts and cyber literacy campaigns
While enforcement remains active, the first layer of defense lies with the public—being alert, sceptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, and verifying sources before transacting.
In Indian tradition, pilgrimage is not just travel—it is tapasya, a journey of purification. It embodies a deep connection to divinity, community, and one’s inner self.
“सदा सद्भावनां युक्तः, सत्यमेव जयते सदा।
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः, पथं सत्यमनुव्रज।”
“He who walks the path of truth with sincerity shall always be protected by dharma itself.”
But dharma, in this digital age, also includes cyber-awareness. As temples modernize, and bookings move online, it is crucial that faith is supported by digital literacy.
For thousands planning yatras this year, a few seconds of caution—verifying a link, checking credentials, reporting suspicious messages—can prevent spiritual journeys from turning into cyber nightmares.
Let our faith not be shaken by fraud. Let it be strengthened by wisdom.
