Uttarakhand STF Cracks Down on Fake Kedarnath Helicopter Ticket Scams

As thousands of devotees gear up for the Char Dham Yatra, cybercriminals are taking advantage of their faith by setting up fake websites and social media pages offering bogus helicopter ticket bookings for Kedarnath Dham. In response, the Uttarakhand Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has launched a major crackdown to stop this growing cybercrime.

Under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and DGP Deepam Seth, the STF is working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Together, they have blocked hundreds of digital platforms used by scammers.

Major Action Taken in 2025

This year alone, the STF has:

• Blocked 51 fake websites

• Disabled 111 fraudulent mobile numbers

• Frozen 56 suspicious bank accounts

• Reported 30 WhatsApp numbers involved in scams

These actions have helped protect hundreds of pilgrims from falling for fake helicopter ticket offers, making the pilgrimage to Kedarnath safer and more secure.

Fighting Back with Tech Giants

To clean up scam content online, DIG Law & Order Dhirendra Gunjyal, acting as the nodal officer under the IT Act, has sent legal notices to Meta (Facebook’s parent company). Working with Meta’s Nodal Officer Ashwin Madhusudan, several scam pages and fake ads have been taken down.

Efforts are also targeting other platforms like WhatsApp, mobile service providers, banks, and hosting services to disrupt scam networks completely.

Following Google’s Lead

After last year’s success when Google restricted ads related to “Kedarnath heli ticket booking,” the STF is now asking Meta to adopt similar keyword restrictions. They are also pushing for the use of AI tools to automatically detect and remove fraudulent content on social media.

Public Warning Issued

The STF has issued a clear warning to pilgrims:

• IRCTC is the only official partner for helicopter ticket bookings.

• Avoid clicking on Facebook ads or visiting unknown websites.

• Report any suspicious content to: ccps.deh@uttarakhandpolice.uk.gov.in

• In case of financial fraud, call the 1930 Cyber Helpline immediately.

A Model for Cyber Vigilance

The STF’s swift and coordinated efforts show how law enforcement can protect people from online fraud—even during spiritual journeys. Their work is a strong example of how modern technology and strict enforcement can come together to safeguard public trust.

As cyber threats grow, the Uttarakhand STF continues to stand strong—defending both the faith and financial safety of India’s pilgrims.