(OT Webdesk)In a major breakthrough, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID-CB) of Odisha Police has arrested two individuals from Rajasthan—Aamir Khan (24) of Alwar and Yusuf (27) of Bharatpur—for orchestrating an elaborate online hotel booking fraud aimed at pilgrims heading to Puri.
The duo launched a fake website, , impersonating Neeladri Bhakta Nivas, a well-known lodging facility near the Sri Jagannath Temple.
Unsuspecting travellers were conned into transferring money into mule bank accounts, mistaking the portal for the official booking site.
The scam came to light after the Chief Administrator of the Sri Jagannath Temple lodged a complaint, which led to a swift probe by Odisha CID-CB’s cyber crime unit under Inspector Abantimani Nayak.
Digital footprints and transaction records pointed investigators to Rajasthan, culminating in the arrests.
A third conspirator had been arrested earlier in Agra.
The case has been registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
Officials have urged travellers to verify booking platforms and report cyber frauds via helpline 1930 or at their nearest police station.
This incident highlights the growing concern about cyber safety in the tourism sector, especially around religious destinations.
