Dehradun: Ahead of the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand’s Special Task Force (STF) has launched a large-scale operation against cyber criminals to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The action is primarily focused on fraudsters who are creating fake websites, Facebook pages, and Instagram accounts in the name of Kedarnath and other pilgrimage services, especially targeting helicopter ticket bookings and travel packages.
STF Intensifies Action Before Pilgrimage Season
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh said that cyber criminals become highly active during the Char Dham Yatra every year, exploiting devotees by luring them through fake social media advertisements and counterfeit booking platforms. Victims are often tricked into making advance payments on these fraudulent portals.
He added that, on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a dedicated social media monitoring and action team has been formed to continuously track suspicious online activity and take immediate action against such scams.
According to officials, the STF has already successfully removed 180 suspicious and fraudulent social media links. These links were mainly being used to promote fake Kedarnath helicopter bookings, hotel reservations, and pilgrimage travel packages. The objective of these platforms was to deceive pilgrims by presenting themselves as legitimate service providers.
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Fake Numbers and Websites Come Under Scanner
In addition, authorities have identified 52 mobile numbers suspected of being involved in the cyber fraud network. A request has been sent to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for blocking these numbers to prevent further misuse.
Investigations have also revealed 10 websites operating fraudulent helicopter booking services in the name of Char Dham travel arrangements. These websites have been reported to their respective domain registrars for immediate deactivation.
SSP Ajay Singh stated that cyber criminals often use misleading advertisements and terms such as “official booking portal” to create a false sense of authenticity. In many cases, pilgrims are unable to distinguish between genuine and fake platforms and end up losing significant amounts of money.
Pilgrims Urged to Use Official Channels Only
He further said that STF teams are continuously monitoring digital platforms, and swift action is being taken against any suspicious activity. The operation will remain active before and during the entire pilgrimage season.
This year, the Char Dham Yatra is scheduled to begin on April 19, 2026. The doors of Yamunotri and Gangotri will open on April 19, followed by Kedarnath on April 22 and Badrinath on April 23. Lakhs of devotees are expected to participate in the pilgrimage, which makes it a prime target for cyber fraudsters.
Authorities have urged pilgrims to use only official government websites and authorized booking channels for any travel-related services. They have also advised people to avoid clicking on unknown links or trusting social media advertisements offering discounted pilgrimage packages.
Cybersecurity experts have noted that religious events often see a spike in online fraud cases, as people tend to act quickly due to faith and urgency, making them more vulnerable to scams. They emphasized that real-time monitoring and rapid response mechanisms are crucial to preventing financial losses.
