GURGAON – Authorities are cautioning the public about a surge in deceptive messages promising sacred offerings from the ceremony. Many unsuspecting individuals have fallen victim to this digital scam, making payments for ‘prasad’ only to realize they’ve been duped. In recent weeks, a new breed of cyber fraudsters has been exploiting the fervour surrounding Ayodhya, deploying a deceptive modus operandi that involves sending messages to random numbers.
These messages pledge the delivery of ‘prasad’ from the Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony. The fraudsters prompt recipients to click on a link accompanying the messages, where they are then asked to provide personal details.

Shockingly, once users enter their phone numbers, the fraudsters swiftly access linked bank accounts, executing rapid cash transfers. Police authorities caution that some cybercriminals are also employing similar tactics by enticing individuals with promises of phone recharge.
The goal remains the same – gaining unauthorized access to bank accounts. Officials emphasize that legitimate religious organizations do not deliver ‘prasad’ through such digital means. To counteract this rising threat, individuals are urged to report incidents to the national cyber helpline (1930) or through cybercrime.gov.in.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for the Ayodhya event, clarifies that there is no provision for online delivery of ‘prasad’ related to the consecration ceremony on January 22. Guests attending will be gifted ‘Ramraj’ and laddu prasad, with ‘Ramraj’ being soil extracted during the temple’s foundation laying. This is not the first time cyber fraudsters have exploited significant events.

During the Covid pandemic, scams ranged from fake vaccine booster promises to false claims of medicines and oxygen cylinders. Faridabad police chief Rakesh Kumar Arya underscores the opportunistic nature of fraudsters, stating they often capitalize on crises or relevant events to deceive people. Investigations reveal a persistent group of fraudsters changing phone numbers to evade detection, with online fraud hubs in Jamtara, Bharatpur, and Mewat identified.