How to Avoid Puri Hotel Booking Fraud as Cyber Police Take Down 49 Scam Portals

PURI, ODISHA — As hundreds of thousands of devotees prepare to converge on the coastal city of Puri for the grand annual Rath Yatra, cybercriminals are aggressively attempting to capitalize on the massive surge in accommodation demand through sophisticated Puri hotel booking fraud. In a major preemptive strike, Puri Police, in coordination with the Odisha Crime Branch, have successfully blocked 49 fraudulent websites designed to siphon money from unsuspecting tourists. This massive coordinated action marks a decisive step in combatting the rising wave of digital scams targetting regional travelers.

The crackdown comes following an influx of complaints from victims and urgent consultations with the Puri Hotel Association.

The Modus Operandi of the Cyber Scam

Digital fraudsters have been running highly sophisticated operations by cloning the digital footprints of reputed local hotels. This specific execution of Puri hotel booking fraud targets travelers by illegally utilizing the names, hijacked email addresses, and phone numbers of legitimate businesses to lure visitors with heavily discounted room rates.

Scammers directly contact potential guests through fabricated email IDs, persuading them to finalize their reservations by making advance payments. Once the money is transferred via unknown UPI IDs, QR codes, or bank accounts, the funds are immediately diverted. The victims only discover they have been targeted by this scam upon arriving at the actual hotel, where no reservation exists.

Authorities Urge Extreme Vigilance

Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh emphasized that the safety and security of devotees during the Rath Yatra remain the department's paramount concern. To prevent further incidents of Puri hotel booking fraud, SP Singh confirmed that strict action against these cyber syndicates will continue relentlessly throughout the festive season.

"We urge all tourists to book their accommodations exclusively through verified, official hotel websites," SP Singh stated. He strongly advised visitors to cross-verify their reservations by calling the hotel's official front desk, to remain deeply skeptical of unusually cheap tariff offers, and to completely avoid transferring funds to unverified personal accounts.

A Growing Threat to the Hospitality Sector

The regional hospitality sector is feeling the heavy strain of these digital impostors. Addressing the widespread impact of Puri hotel booking fraud, Rajkishore Patra, Vice-President of the Puri Hotel Association, noted that cyber fraud involving room reservations is on a steep upward trajectory.

While the association acts swiftly to flag these incidents to law enforcement, financial recovery for the victims is notoriously rare. Patra has advocated for the immediate formation of a dedicated, highly staffed cyber squad to monitor and dismantle these operations, protecting both tourists and the local economy from ongoing exploitation.

A Relentless Game of Cat and Mouse

The battle against these fraudulent networks remains a persistent challenge for regional law enforcement. Puri Cyber Police Station IIC Geetanjali Nayak pointed out that while fake websites are pulled down immediately upon receiving a complaint, scammers frequently spin up new, identically named domains shortly after the previous ones are blocked. This cycle makes eradicating Puri hotel booking fraud an ongoing operational priority.

This systemic issue is not limited to private enterprises. Fraudsters recently targeted the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration’s own Bhakta Nivas, creating fake booking portals that led to the arrest of two out-of-state operatives a few months ago. With over 120 fake hotel booking sites removed over the past year and more than 500 online financial fraud complaints registered with local police in 2025 alone, authorities are urging tourists to exercise maximum digital caution before confirming their travel plans.