This article discusses a cyber scam that is using Google Ads and the names of popular pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath and Maa Vaishno Devi to defraud people. The scam works in several steps. First, scammers use Google AdSense to boost their websites in search results for hot keywords like "book helicopter Maa Vaishnodevi" or "Kedarnath helicopter booking." When people click on the advertisement, they are directed to a cheap website that shows various types of helicopters and has a "Book Now" button that opens in WhatsApp chat.
In the next step, fraud agents use WhatsApp to chat with victims and ask for government ID proof and payment. They may even call victims with a religious greeting to gain their trust. The scammers share images of fake and edited ID cards to further gain the trust of the victims. In the fourth step, victims are asked to transfer money to public sector bank accounts with IFSC codes of Katra, which are fake to gain trust. During the transaction, banks do not validate IFSC codes and account names, making it difficult to spot fraud.
Finally, victims are provided with a professionally made PDF ticket that they carry to Katra, only to find that there is no such company. The scammers use genuine GST numbers of helicopter companies to further deceive people.
To safeguard against this scam, the article recommends installing ad-blocker addons in browsers to block all advertisements in search results. People should only book helicopter rides from trusted websites and travel agents like the official site of the Shrine Board. Victims should report to the cybercrime portal and call the helpline number of their state and report to the nearest police station
