Pune: Fake Char Dham Booking Websites Targeting Pilgrims, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Warn
Pimpri, 8th September 2026: The Pimpri-Chinchwad police have cautioned citizens against online fraud involving fake helicopter reservations, hotel bookings and tour packages for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
Cybercriminals are creating websites that resemble official portals and circulating fraudulent links and advertisements through social media, police said in an advisory issued on Tuesday. These websites often appear in online search results when prospective pilgrims look for helicopter tickets, accommodation or travel packages.
After attracting customers with discounted tickets and special offers, fraudsters allegedly collect advance payments online without providing the promised services.
“Citizens planning the Char Dham Yatra should book helicopter services only through the authorised portal. They must not immediately trust unfamiliar websites, links or advertisements appearing on search engines and social-media platforms,” said Rohidas Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Pimpri-Chinchwad.
“People should be particularly cautious about offers promising helicopter tickets, hotel rooms or special tour packages at unusually low prices. Money should not be transferred to personal bank accounts or mobile numbers supplied by unknown individuals,” DCP Pawar added.
The police said pilgrims should use IRCTC’s HeliYatra portal (heliyatra.irct .co.in) for helicopter reservations. Uttarakhand Tourism’s official pilgrimage-registration portal also directs users to the same HeliYatra service.
For Char Dham registration and other official information, pilgrims may contact the Uttarakhand Tourism Department through its authorised WhatsApp number, +91-8394833833, and send the message “Yatra”, according to the police advisory.
Before making an online payment, users should carefully examine the website address, confirm the authenticity of the site and verify whether the service provider is officially authorised.
“Under no circumstances should citizens disclose an OTP, bank-account number, ATM card details, CVV, UPI PIN or any other confidential financial information to an unknown person,” DCP Pawar said.
Victims of online financial fraud should report the incident immediately through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call the 1930 helpline, which operates around the clock.
