As the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj approaches, set to begin on January 13, the Uttar Pradesh Police has released an important awareness video urging the public to be cautious of cyber fraud related to online bookings for the event.
With an expected 40 crore attendees, the Mahakumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting people from across the country. However, recent reports of cybercrime have prompted authorities to issue the advisory. The video aims to raise awareness about the growing threat of digital fraud, which has been on the rise in recent times.
The video, shared by the UP Police on social media platform X, portrays a scenario where a middle-class family becomes a victim of cybercriminals. In the video, a father books a hotel for the Mahakumbh Mela after his daughter urges him to do so. Despite the mother’s suggestion to use the money for school fees instead, the father is persuaded by his daughter’s emotional appeal and proceeds with the booking via an online link and phone call. The cybercriminals lure him with promises of attractive offers.
When the family arrives in Prayagraj, they are shocked to find that the promised hotel and taxi services do not exist, and they realize they have been duped. The video serves as a cautionary tale about how easily people can fall prey to such online scams.
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (14C), under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has highlighted a sharp increase in cyber fraud cases in 2024. By early December, cyber fraud losses had soared to Rs 19,888.42 crore, a significant rise from Rs 921.59 crore in 2023.
As the Mahakumbh Mela draws near, UP Police is emphasizing the importance of verifying online bookings and staying vigilant to prevent falling victim to such frauds.
