Over 100 tourists duped in online hotel booking scam in Puri: how to stay safe

Around 100 tourists got tricked by an online hotel scam where they were lured with appealing prices and supposed "steal deals," only to later discover that the hotels or offers were not real. Check out the matter in detail.

Online hotel booking scams in Puri

• According to a report by TOI, scammers tricked tourists by making fake websites in the names of various hotels in Puri.
• They attracted victims by promising appealing discounts on travel packages and sightseeing.
• These fraudsters also created fake booking apps and websites for hotels that don't exist.
• Legitimate sea-view rooms in hotels typically cost between Rs 4,000 and Rs 10,000 per day, as per the report.
• The scammers, however, claim to offer rooms at lower prices, ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000.

Meanwhile, the police in Puri have been actively educating both hotel owners and tourists on how to stay safe from online scams and cyber threats. They are making sure that people are aware of the precautions they should take.

As per the report, a person named Rakesh Haldar from Kolkata shared that they found a hotel booking website offering a sea-facing room for Rs 3,000 per day. They booked a room for November 2nd to 7th and were asked to pay Rs 8,000 in advance on a payment platform. However, upon arriving in Puri, they discovered that the hotel didn't actually exist. Rakesh Haldar has reported this to the Puri police.

Another tourist from Kolkata, Sudipto Das, was searching online for a hotel near Jagannath Temple. He reserved two rooms for November 3rd and paid an advance of Rs 5,000. However, when Das tried to check in with his family, the hotel informed him that they had not accepted any such booking. When he showed them the online transaction information, it became clear that the recipient's account was linked to cyber criminals. Surprisingly, Sudipto Das did not report the incident to the police.

How to stay safe from online hotel booking scams

• Be cautious when searching hotels online and avoid broad terms like "hotel deals" as they often lead to sponsored or dubious results.
• Book directly through hotel websites, double-checking the URL for accuracy and the presence of "https" in it.
• Consider loyalty programmes from familiar hotel brands for potential free stays.
• Use trusted third-party booking sites but book directly with the hotel if they offer the best rate to avoid surprises.
• Research hotels and booking sites on platforms for ratings, reviews, and complaints.
• Understand cancellation and refund policies before providing your credit card information.
• Contact the hotel a couple of weeks before your stay to confirm your reservation, rates, and check-in details.