Preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 are in full swing in Sangam town, Prayagraj. Mahakumbh will begin on January 13. According to Prayagraj Fair Authority, more than 40 crore devotees are expected to come in this Mahakumbh which will last for 45 days.
Devotees coming to Mahakumbh have started booking online hotels, Dharamshala and tent cottages constructed in the Kumbh area for their stay.
However, cybercriminals have also become active regarding Mahakumbh, who cheat devotees in the name of booking hotels or tent cabins.
The Uttar Pradesh Police released a video regarding this on their social media account (X). With this, the UP Police have warned devotees to be wary of cyber fraud.
So today in need news we will talk about how to avoid cyber fraud in the name of Mahakumbh? You will also learn that-
How do cybercriminals attack people? What are the things to keep in mind when booking a hotel or chalet?
Expert: Rahul Mishra, Cyber Security Advisor, Uttar Pradesh Police
Question: How do cybercriminals commit fraud in the name of Mahakumbh?
Answer – Cybercriminals create fake websites to deceive devotees. They trick people into booking cheap hotels or cabins on these websites. Additionally, devotees are requested to make advance payment for the reservation. Lured by cheap bookings, innocent people pay in advance and fall for scammers.
Question: What notice has been issued by the Uttar Pradesh Police regarding Mahakumbh?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh Police shared a short video on X (Twitter). In this case, a family books a hotel and taxi for Prayagraj Mahakumbh online through the website in advance, but after reaching Prayagraj, when they call the number given on the website, the number is switched off.
He somehow reaches the hotel address, but finds no hotel there. There is an empty lot instead of a hotel. In this way, he gets trapped in the web of fake websites and becomes a victim of cyber fraud. Through this video, the police appealed to the public to book hotels only through registered websites.
Question: Why did the police have to issue this notice?
Answer – A few days ago, Prayagraj police had arrested four people. These people targeted worshipers through fake websites. They were cheating them online in the name of booking cottages in a tent city and booking hotels in the city.
Question – What things should be kept in mind while booking a hotel for Mahakumbh?
Answer – Uttar Pradesh government and local administration has released a list of registered hotels, Dharamshala and guest houses in Prayagraj. In this list, the name and address of the hotel as well as its contact number are indicated.
If you also want to book a hotel to go to Mahakumbh in advance, check this list first. Make the reservation only via the telephone number indicated in the list. This list of registered hotels is available on the official website of Mahakumbh and Prayagraj district. Apart from this, Prayagraj police also shared it on their social media platforms.
See it in the graph below-
Question- What to do to stay in the Tent City cottage?
Answer – A tent city has been set up for devotees and tourists in the Maha Kumbh Mela. You can book your stay through the company’s website and the Mahakumbh app. Devotees will also have the opportunity to practice yoga and yagya in the tent city.
You can see the list of registered Tent City cottages in the graphic below.
Question: What things should be kept in mind to avoid cybercriminals in Mahakumbh 2025?
Answer – Cybercriminals use fake websites and social media advertisements to trap worshipers and tourists. When someone contacts through them, cybercriminals lure them with offers and make payments in advance. Therefore, do not fall prey to these fake websites and social media ads.
Before visiting a website, check “https” (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) in its URL. Here, “s” means secure. If only http is written on a website, do not visit it. Apart from this, if someone calls you and lures you with cheap accommodation and dining arrangements, be careful.
Understand from the chart below what is important to keep in mind while booking hotels for Mahakumbh 2025.
Question – What to do if you are a victim of cyber fraud?
Answer – The Prayagraj Fair Authority has issued helpline number 1920.
You can seek help on this number in case of any problem related to Mahakumbh. Apart from this, if you are a victim of cybercrime, you can lodge a complaint on the national helpline number 1930 or on the official cybercrime website (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
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