Have you recently come across a tempting offer for a religious tour online? Maybe a low-cost pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi or Kedarnath? If it felt too good to be true, you’re probably right.
Scammers have found a new way to exploit innocent people—by targeting their religious faith. These fraudsters are setting up fake websites and social media pages offering budget religious tour packages. Once people book these tours, they lose not just their money—but also their trust.
Here’s how these cyber frauds typically operate:
- Fake Websites & Social Media Ads: Fraudsters create convincing websites or Facebook pages offering pilgrimages at unusually low prices. These pages often feature spiritual images, positive reviews, and fake contact numbers to appear authentic.
- Urgency Traps: They’ll say things like “Limited seats available!” or “Book before midnight!” to pressure you into making a hasty decision.
- Payment Fraud: Victims are asked to pay upfront via UPI, bank transfers, or mobile wallets. After payment, the tour operators vanish—and so does your money.
The real danger here is emotional manipulation. The offers are often marketed during religious festivals, when many people are planning spiritual journeys. Scammers use our faith and trust to lower our defenses.
Think about it—wouldn’t anyone jump at the chance to go on a holy pilgrimage at half the market rate?
How to Protect Yourself from These Scams
Here are some simple but crucial steps you can take to stay safe:
- Always verify tour operators by checking reviews, verifying registration numbers, and calling official helplines.
- Don’t be rushed into making payments. Genuine travel agencies don’t push you like that.
- Use secure payment methods like credit cards that offer fraud protection.
- Report suspicious ads to social media platforms and cybercrime authorities immediately.
Online religious tour scams are growing, but so is awareness. By taking a few extra minutes to research and think critically, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
