With the onset of the travel season, cybercriminals have once again intensified their activities, targeting unsuspecting travelers through online booking scams. In Jaipur alone, more than 127 complaints have been registered in the past five days related to fraud in the name of hotel bookings, tour packages and heavily discounted travel offers. The total financial loss reported in these cases has exceeded ₹66 lakh, raising serious concerns among cyber safety agencies and the public.
Tactics: fake sites, numbers and QR payments
According to officials, the fraudsters operate in a highly organized manner, using fake websites, cloned customer care numbers, WhatsApp messages, social media advertisements and attractive discount deals to trap victims. In several cases, the accused pose as representatives of hotels or travel agencies and collect advance payments under the pretext of booking confirmation. However, when victims arrive at the hotels or resorts, they discover that no such booking exists and the property has no association with the website or contact number used during the transaction.
One of the most common tactics involves manipulating Google search results and social media platforms by promoting fake customer care numbers. Once a victim contacts these numbers, they are gradually convinced to make multiple payments under various heads such as advance booking charges, GST, security deposits and processing fees. In many cases, QR codes are also shared to facilitate instant transfers, after which the fraudsters disconnect all communication channels.
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Real cases: Goa, Manali and Rishikesh traps
In one incident, a businessman from Jaipur booked a Goa trip hotel online and contacted a customer care number found on Google. After making the payment, he later discovered at the hotel that no booking had been made. In another case, a young man was lured through a social media advertisement offering heavy discounts on a Manali tour package. He was charged in multiple installments before all contact numbers were switched off.
Similarly, a family that booked a resort in Rishikesh through an online platform was shown a video call tour of the property by the fraudsters to build trust. However, upon arrival, they realized the entire booking was fake. In such cases, cybercriminals use professionally designed fake websites and fabricated digital identities to create a convincing illusion of authenticity.
Expert warning: cloned digital ecosystems
Cyber experts say that during the travel season, people tend to make quick booking decisions, which makes them easy targets for scammers. The urgency created by limited-time offers and unusually cheap deals often pushes victims to ignore verification steps and proceed with payments without proper checks.
Cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh Triveni Singh said that modern cyber frauds are no longer limited to simple fake calls or messages. “Fraudsters now replicate the entire digital ecosystem of legitimate businesses. They create fake websites, fake reviews, fake customer care systems and even fake payment gateways, making it extremely difficult for common users to distinguish between real and fake platforms,” he said.
He further added that the biggest vulnerability remains haste and lack of verification before making online payments. “If an offer appears unusually cheap or if there is pressure to make immediate payment, it should be treated as a major red flag,” he cautioned.
Advisory: safe booking practices and reporting
Police and cyber security agencies have advised citizens to avoid trusting unknown links, WhatsApp offers or customer care numbers found through search engines. They emphasized that bookings should only be made through verified official websites or authorized mobile applications. Users are also urged to directly contact hotels or service providers before making any payment to confirm authenticity.
Authorities have further recommended that in case of any suspicious transaction, victims should immediately report the matter on the national cyber helpline number 1930 or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Early reporting significantly increases the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering lost money.
Officials warn that cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and organized, using advanced digital tools to execute large-scale frauds. As online transactions continue to grow, public awareness and caution remain the most effective defenses against such evolving cyber threats.
