Cybercrime – Srisailam Temple Warns Pilgrims After Online Booking Fraud Cases

Cybercrime –  Devotees visiting the famous Srisailam Temple have been advised to remain cautious while making online reservations after several incidents involving fake booking websites surfaced in recent weeks.

Police Begin Investigation Into Fake Booking Websites

Authorities at the Srisailam Temple have approached police officials after cyber criminals allegedly created fraudulent websites that imitated the temple’s official online services. According to temple administrators, unsuspecting pilgrims were tricked into making payments for accommodation, darshan passes, and other services through these bogus portals.

Temple Executive Officer M. Srinivasa Rao confirmed that a formal complaint had been submitted to the police department. Investigators have now started tracing the individuals and groups operating the fake websites.

Officials said the fraud has become a recurring issue, with multiple complaints registered over the past few months. The fake portals reportedly copied the temple’s branding and service details to appear authentic, making it difficult for devotees to identify the scam.

Delhi Pilgrims Discover Fraud After Reaching Temple Town

The latest incident involved a group of devotees from Delhi who travelled to Srisailam through Hyderabad for a religious visit. After arriving at the temple town, the group discovered that the rooms they had booked online did not exist in the official reservation system.

One of the affected pilgrims, Anand Kumar, said he had reserved nine air-conditioned rooms for relatives and family members. He stated that a payment of Rs 15,000 had been transferred through a UPI transaction while making the reservation online.

However, when the group reached Mallikarjuna Sadan, temple staff informed them that no booking had been made under their names. The pilgrims were reportedly left without accommodation arrangements despite carrying booking details they believed were genuine.

Temple Administration Provides Immediate Assistance

After learning about the issue, temple authorities intervened to support the affected visitors. The Executive Officer arranged accommodation and darshan facilities for the Delhi pilgrims to ensure their pilgrimage continued without further inconvenience.

Officials stated that the administration is taking the matter seriously because many devotees depend on online systems for travel and accommodation planning. With a large number of pilgrims visiting the temple regularly, authorities fear that more people could become victims if stricter awareness measures are not implemented.

Official Websites and Helpline Numbers Shared

Temple authorities have appealed to devotees to use only authorised online platforms for reservations and ticket bookings. Officials clarified that bookings should be made exclusively through the official temple portals.

The EO also advised pilgrims to confirm their reservations through dedicated temple helpline services before starting their journey. Devotees have been encouraged to use official WhatsApp Governance services to obtain accurate information regarding accommodation, darshan schedules, and online bookings.

Authorities warned that cyber fraudsters are deliberately targeting religious travellers by creating websites that closely resemble legitimate temple portals. The administration urged pilgrims to carefully verify website addresses before making any digital payment.

More Digital Facilities Introduced for Pilgrims

To reduce dependence on third-party booking services, the temple administration has introduced self-service kiosk machines at eight locations within the temple premises. These kiosks allow devotees to complete online registrations and booking procedures directly.

Officials added that similar digital facilities would soon be expanded to another 12 locations to improve convenience and minimise the risk of online fraud.

The temple administration has once again appealed to pilgrims visiting Srisailam to remain alert while using online services and avoid making payments through unofficial websites or unknown links.