Preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 are going on in full swing in Sangam Nagri Prayagraj. Mahakumbh will start from 13th January. According to the Prayagraj Fair Authority, more than 40 crore devotees are expected to attend the 45-day long Mahakumbh.
Devotees coming to Mahakumbh have started online booking of hotels, inns and tent city cottages in Kumbh area for their stay.
However, cyber criminals have also become active during Mahakumbh, who cheat devotees in the name of booking hotels or tent city cottages.
Uttar Pradesh Police has posted a video in this regard on its social media handle (X). Through this, the UP Police has warned the devotees to beware of cyber fraud.
So today In work news We will talk about how to avoid cyber fraud in the name of Mahakumbh. You will also know that-
- How are cyber criminals preying on people?
- What things to keep in mind while booking a hotel or cottage?
Expert: Rahul Mishra, Cyber Security Advisor, Uttar Pradesh Police
Question- How are cyber criminals committing fraud in the name of Mahakumbha?
Answer- Cyber criminals are creating fake websites to cheat devotees. They lure people to book cheap hotels or cottages on this website. Also, devotees are asked to make advance payment for booking. Lured by cheap bookings, innocent people make advance payments and fall into fraudsters' traps.
Q- What advisory has been issued by Uttar Pradesh Police regarding Mahakumbh?
Answer- Uttar Pradesh Police shared a short video on Twitter. In which a family makes an online advance hotel and taxi booking for Prayagraj Mahakumbh through the Website, but after reaching Prayagraj, when they call the number given on the website, the number is switched off.
He somehow reaches the address of the hotel, but finds no hotel there. There is an empty plot instead of a hotel. In this way they fall into the trap of fake websites and become victims of cyber fraud. Through this video, the police has appealed to the people to book the hotel only through the registered website.
Question- Why did the police need to issue this advisory?
Answer- A few days ago, Prayagraj police arrested four people. These people used to target devotees through fake websites. They used to do online scams in the name of booking cottages in tent cities and hotels in the city.
Q- What things should be kept in mind while booking a hotel for Mahakumbh?
Answer- Uttar Pradesh Government and Local Administration has released the list of registered hotels, inns and guest houses in Prayagraj. The name and address of the hotel along with its contact number are also given in this list.
If you also want to make advance hotel bookings to go to Mahakumbh, check this list first. Book only through the phone number given in the list. This list of registered hotels is available on the official website of Mahakumbh and Prayagraj District. Apart from this, Prayagraj Police has also shared it on its social media platform.
Check it out in the graphic below-
Question- What to do to stay in a tent city cottage?
Answer- A tent city has been built for devotees and tourists at the Maha Kumbh Mela. You can book your stay with the Corporation through its website and Mahakumbh App. Devotees will also get facilities to perform yoga and yajna in the tent city.
You can see the list of Tent City's registered cottages in the graphic below.
Q- What things should be taken care of to avoid cyber criminals in Mahakumbh 2025?
Answer- Cybercriminals resort to fake websites and social media advertisements to trick devotees and tourists. When a person contacts them, cybercriminals lure them with offers and make payments in advance. So, don't fall prey to these fake websites and social media ads.
Before visiting any website, check for 'https' (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) in its URL. Here 's' stands for safe. Do not visit any website if only http is written on it. Apart from this, if someone calls you and tempts you to arrange cheap accommodation and meals, beware.
Understand from the graphic below what are the things to keep in mind while booking a hotel for Mahakumbh 2025.
Q- What to do if you are a victim of cyber fraud?
Answer- Prayagraj Fair Authority has issued a helpline number 1920.
In case of any problem related to Mahakumbh you can take help on this number. Apart from this, if you are a victim of cybercrime, you can file a complaint on the national helpline number 1930 or on the official website of cybercrime (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
