States » EastPosted at: Jun 25 2025 3:52PM


Fake hotel booking scams on the rise in Odisha: Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar, June 25 (UNI) The Criminal Investigation Department of the Odisha Crime Branch Police has received 317 complaints related to fake hotel booking websites in the state, through the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.
According to Crime Branch sources, hotel booking scams are increasingly being reported in major cities such as Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.
Fraudsters are creating fake websites and social media pages that closely resemble legitimate platforms, offering unrealistically low prices, urgent deals, and guaranteed bookings.
These scammers typically demand full payment via UPI, mobile wallets, or bank transfers, and also provide fake customer care numbers and receipts.
Many of these fraudulent websites appear at the top of Google search results, making them difficult for users to distinguish from genuine ones.
The Crime Branch’s Social Media Team is actively monitoring online platforms to detect and remove such fake websites.
Ensuring a safe and scam-free experience during the sacred festival season remains a top priority, the Crime Branch stated, adding that fake hotel booking websites are being taken down promptly upon receiving complaints or during routine cyber surveillance.
The Crime Branch further mentioned that their team is vigilantly identifying and removing fake hotel booking sites as soon as they are detected.
To keep the public informed and protected, the department has been sharing regular awareness posts about hotel booking scams through its official cyber safety social media platforms.
The Crime Branch has advised the people to follow @cybercopodisha on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for regular updates, safety tips, and scam alerts.
UNI DP PRS
Tags: #Fake hotel booking scams on the rise in Odisha: Crime Branch
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