A group of 27 pilgrims from Delhi found themselves stranded upon arrival in Srisailam, having allegedly been defrauded through a fabricated website for accommodation bookings. The incident, which came to light when the devotees arrived expecting confirmed reservations, has prompted a police investigation.
The core of the issue revolves around fake websites mimicking official Srisailam temple services, designed to solicit payments for non-existent room bookings and other pilgrimage-related services. These fraudulent sites often direct users to make payments through third-party applications like PhonePe, a practice distinct from the official booking procedures.
Temple officials have since stepped in to assist the affected Delhi pilgrims, providing them with accommodation, food, and arrangements for darshan. This latest episode underscores a recurring problem that has prompted the Srisailam temple management to issue repeated warnings to devotees.
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Official Channels and Recurring Warnings
Srisailam temple authorities have emphatically urged pilgrims to use only the official websites for all bookings, including accommodation, arjitha seva, and various darshan tickets. The designated official portals are www.aptemples.ap.gov.in and www.srisailadevasthanam.org.
Temple Trust Board Chairperson Pothukunta Ramesh Naidu and Executive Officer M Srinivasa Rao have jointly stated that any requests for money transfers to individual payment accounts during the booking process should be treated as indicators of cybercrime. Devotees are advised to contact the temple information centre at 8333901351/52/53 for any assistance or clarifications.
These warnings are not new. Previous reports indicate that such scams have been surfacing periodically, with fraudsters creating numerous fake websites that often bear resemblance to official temple accommodation complexes. The arrival of deceived devotees at the temple, only to discover the invalidity of their bookings, has repeatedly brought these schemes to light. The scams extend beyond accommodation, with instances of fake tickets and darshan mismanagement also being reported.
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Modus Operandi and Devotee Vulnerability
The fraudulent websites often leverage the trust placed in official temple names and services. They create a veneer of legitimacy, leading unsuspecting devotees, particularly those from distant locations, to believe they are interacting with authorized booking platforms.
The shift to online booking for pilgrimage sites has inadvertently created fertile ground for such scams. Devotees who rely on social media recommendations or hastily search online without verifying the authenticity of the websites become prime targets. The promise of confirmed accommodation and seamless pilgrimage arrangements lures them into parting with their money before they even reach their destination.
The lack of immediate, effective responses from authorities after initial complaints has also been noted, contributing to the ongoing nature of these fraudulent activities. The repeated caution from the temple management signals a persistent challenge in combating these digital con artists who prey on the faith and travel plans of pilgrims.
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