Cybercriminals are ramping up fake bus, train, and flight booking websites targeting Sankranti travelers in Telangana, luring victims with rock-bottom fares and discounts. Telangana Cyber Crime Police warns of a sharp rise in phishing portals mimicking IRCTC, redBus, and airlines like IndiGo, exploiting festival rush from January 12-15, 2026.
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Festive Travel Rush Fuels Scam Wave
Sankranti, or Pongal, draws lakhs from Hyderabad to villages in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and beyond, spiking demand for affordable tickets. Fraudsters capitalize with bogus sites offering 50-70% off genuine platforms, often promoted via WhatsApp forwards, SMS, and social media ads during peak December-January.
Recent advisories highlight clones like “irctc-sankranti.com” or “redbus-festival.in” requesting UPI payments or card details post-“booking,” vanishing funds without confirmations. Over 500 complaints logged in Hyderabad alone since Diwali, with losses exceeding Rs 2 crore statewide.
Common Scam Tactics and Red Flags
Scammers deploy urgency with “limited seats” banners and fake OTPs for “verification.” Post-payment, sites display errors or redirect, while malware-laden apps steal banking data. IRCTC-like portals demand Aadhaar/PAN for “KYC,” a major giveaway as official bookings avoid this.
- Unrealistic discounts (e.g., Hyderabad-Vijayawada bus at Rs 99 vs Rs 500)
- Poor grammar, misspelled URLs (e.g., irctcbooking.co.in)
- No secure HTTPS padlock or mismatched branding
- Pressure for immediate UPI/IMPS over cards
Police Crackdowns and Victim Stories
Telangana Cyber Police raided a Hyderabad gang in December, seizing servers hosting 20 fake sites, leading to five arrests linked to inter-state syndicates. A Vijayawada trader lost Rs 15,000 on a sham Rajdhani “Tatkal” booking, discovering post-failure only after real IRCTC sellout.
Similar surges hit Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; national helpline 1930 reports 30% festive uptick. Collaboration with redBus/IRCTC blocks phishing domains daily.
Expert Tips to Book Safely This Sankranti
Cyber sleuths recommend sticking to verified apps/sites: IRCTC.co.in, redBus.in, MakeMyTrip. Use virtual cards for trials, enable UPI limits, and cross-verify PNRs via official SMS. Report scams instantly via cybercrime.gov.in; refunds possible within hours if flagged.
Authorities predict peak fraud January 10-14; travelers urged vigilance to safeguard Pongal reunions from digital thieves.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
