Puri: In view of the massive influx of devotees during the ongoing Rath Yatra, the Cyber Safety and Response Team of the CID, Crime Branch has intensified its cyber awareness campaign across Puri, sensitising over 850 pilgrims and tourists to online fraud and facilitating the removal of more than 150 misleading social media posts related to the festival.
As part of the drive, the team conducted awareness programmes at key locations across the city, educating pilgrims, tourists, hotel owners, local residents and other stakeholders about emerging cyber threats. Visitors were cautioned against fake hotel booking scams, phishing links, fraudulent payment requests and impersonation frauds. Cyber safety pamphlets containing precautionary measures and emergency contact details were also distributed.
With fake hotel booking fraud emerging as a major concern during the festival, the team visited 12 prominent hotels in Puri to sensitise their management about fraudulent online booking practices. Security assessments of the hotels’ websites were conducted, following which advisories were issued to address identified vulnerabilities and strengthen cybersecurity.
In a parallel initiative to curb misinformation, the Cyber Safety and Response Team identified and facilitated the removal of over 150 misleading posts related to Rath Yatra from various social media platforms. Police officials said the move was aimed at preventing the spread of false information that could mislead devotees or trigger unnecessary panic.
The team also assisted the public by registering 78 complaints of missing mobile phones on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal on July 17 and 18, enabling victims to block and trace their devices.
Odisha Police has appealed to devotees and tourists to remain vigilant while making online hotel bookings, use only verified websites and authorised travel platforms, avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing banking credentials with unknown persons, and report cyber fraud immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Police officials said the cyber awareness campaign would continue throughout the Rath Yatra to ensure the safety of devotees against evolving cyber threats during the festival.
