BHUBANESWAR, INDIA — Authorities have dismantled a fraudulent website operation that defrauded thousands of devotees seeking to book accommodation at guest houses near the revered Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. The fake Jagannath Puja website was uncovered after the temple’s administration received numerous complaints from pilgrims who had paid for services that were never rendered. The scam highlights the growing threat of cybercrime targeting religious tourism and pilgrims.
Officials Uncover Fraudulent Online Booking Portal
The investigation began after the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) lodged a formal complaint with the Odisha Police’s Cyber Crime Cell. According to the complaint, a fake website was created to mimic the official online booking portal for the temple’s guest houses, including Neeladri Bhakta Niwas and Purushottam Bhakta Niwas. The fraudulent site lured unsuspecting devotees with promises of easy accommodation bookings near the temple, a critical need during peak pilgrimage seasons.
“We received a number of complaints from devotees who had been cheated,” said Arabinda Padhee, the Chief Administrator of the SJTA, in a press statement. “The fraudsters would ask devotees to deposit money online for room bookings. However, upon arrival in Puri, the devotees would discover that no reservation had been made.”
The Odisha Crime Branch, which took over the investigation, traced the fraudulent activities to two individuals in Uttar Pradesh. The accused, identified as an IT professional from Agra and his accomplice from Prayagraj, were arrested in a coordinated operation. Law enforcement officials seized a laptop, mobile phones, SIM cards, and bank account details used in the scam.
Anatomy of the Scam: How Devotees Were Targeted
The fake website was designed to appear highly authentic, featuring official logos, images of the temple, and detailed descriptions of the accommodation facilities. According to a preliminary report from the Odisha Police, the scam artists used a sophisticated process to deceive their victims. After a devotee filled out an inquiry form on the fake site, they were contacted via a mobile number or WhatsApp. The fraudsters would then pressure them to make an immediate online payment to a “mule” bank account, often citing limited availability of rooms.
The use of sponsored search engine advertisements and social media posts was also a key part of the deception, driving traffic to the bogus site. This method, a common tactic in online fraud, allowed the criminals to appear as a top result for searches related to Jagannath Temple bookings or Puri guest house bookings.
This type of online fraud is a growing concern, as noted by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). In a recent advisory, the I4C warned the public about a sharp rise in online scams targeting religious pilgrims and tourists. The advisory highlighted that such scams often involve fake websites and deceptive social media pages for popular pilgrimage sites across India, including Kedarnath and the Char Dham Yatra.
A Broader Threat to Religious Tourism
The Puri scam is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a wider vulnerability. As millions of people turn to the internet to plan their pilgrimages and spiritual journeys, cybercriminals are adapting their tactics to exploit the trust associated with religious institutions. The promise of a seamless spiritual experience makes these scams particularly effective.
“Religious tourism has a unique trust factor,” said Dr. Alok Verma, a cybercrime expert and a senior fellow at a prominent New Delhi think tank. “Devotees are often driven by faith and are less likely to question the legitimacy of a site that appears to be associated with their place of worship. This emotional connection is a powerful tool for fraudsters.”
In a separate but related incident, Puri police recently arrested 12 individuals for impersonating temple servitors and extorting money from devotees on the street, further highlighting the multiple layers of deception targeting pilgrims. The official temple administration and local law enforcement are now focused on a two-pronged approach: enhanced online security and public awareness campaigns.
Authorities and Devotees Urged to Remain Vigilant
In the wake of the arrests, the SJTA has reiterated its official online presence. The only legitimate websites for temple-related information and accommodation bookings are www.shreejagannath.in and www.stayatpurijagannatha.in. Officials have advised devotees to verify URLs carefully and avoid clicking on unverified links from search engine results or social media.
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The case also serves as a cautionary tale for individuals planning any form of online travel or pilgrimage. The Odisha Police Cyber Cell has urged the public to cross-check all booking information through official government portals or trusted travel agencies. They also recommend reporting any suspicious websites to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
The crackdown on this particular Jagannath Puja website scam is a significant step in protecting devotees. However, with cybercriminals constantly evolving their methods, experts believe that sustained public awareness and a robust cybersecurity infrastructure are the only long-term solutions to safeguard against such digital deceptions. The focus now shifts from simply catching the perpetrators to proactively educating the public on how to identify and avoid such scams.
