Cyber Fraud Hits Delhi Pilgrims in Srisailam Through Fake Room Booking Website

• Srisailam fake website cheats Delhi pilgrims
• Cyber fraud in room booking shocks devotees
• Temple officials provide help after online scam

A cyber fraud incident targeting devotees has surfaced in Srisailam Temple after a group of pilgrims from Delhi allegedly lost money through a fake room booking website. The victims had booked accommodation online believing it to be an official temple service portal.

According to temple authorities, a devotee identified as Anand Kumar booked nine AC rooms at Mallikarjuna Sadan through the fraudulent website and transferred around Rs 15,000 using Paytm. Later, a group of 27 pilgrims travelled from Hyderabad to Srisailam in a tourist bus expecting confirmed accommodation arrangements.

However, after reaching the temple guest house, devotees were informed by staff that no such booking existed in the system. Realising they had fallen victim to cyber criminals, the pilgrims were left distressed and uncertain about their stay arrangements.

After learning about the incident, temple Executive Officer Srinivasa Rao immediately intervened and extended support to the affected pilgrims. To ensure they did not face hardship after travelling a long distance, the temple administration arranged free accommodation, meals, and darshan facilities for the group.

Temple officials also collected a written complaint from the victims and decided to initiate legal action against those operating fake booking websites targeting devotees. Authorities urged pilgrims to use only official temple portals while booking rooms or darshan tickets and warned the public against making payments through unknown websites.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat of online fraud targeting religious tourists and pilgrims during travel and accommodation bookings.