Fake Online Ticket Purchase Scam — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 27, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Beware the Fake Online Ticket Purchase Scam in India 2026: Stay Alert During Festival and Travel Seasons

Every year, thousands of Indians fall prey to the Fake Online Ticket Purchase Scam, losing money and personal data through bogus websites and WhatsApp ads promising cheap event or travel tickets.

What Is the Fake Online Ticket Purchase Scam?

This scam targets Indians eager to buy tickets for popular events, movies, or travel, especially during high-demand periods like Diwali, summer holidays, or cricket World Cups. Fraudsters exploit the rush and excitement by posting fake ads on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, or sending unsolicited WhatsApp messages with links to websites mimicking well-known ticketing services. These fake sites trick buyers into entering payment details or UPI PINs, thinking they are genuine transactions.

The scam is widespread across India, with states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Delhi seeing multiple reports since late 2024. According to advisories issued by CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) and I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre), the incidence of online payment frauds linked to fake ticket sales rose sharply over the last two years. RBI has also warned users about sharing OTPs or UPI PINs on third-party sites, stressing that no legitimate service will ask for these details outside official apps.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Targeting the Victim: Scammers monitor social media hashtags and search engine queries related to popular events or festivals. They send WhatsApp messages or create sponsored ads offering tickets at discounted prices or claiming limited availability to create urgency.

2. Fake Website Link: The message contains a link to a fake ticketing website. This site looks almost identical to legitimate ones, complete with fake customer reviews, logos, and payment modes including UPI, credit/debit cards.

3. Customer Registration & Payment: When victims proceed to book, they are asked to enter personal details and then redirect to a payment page where they authenticate using UPI apps or enter OTPs supposedly for payment approval.

4. OTP or UPI PIN Harvesting: The scam page captures the OTP or UPI PIN entered, often by overlaying the genuine payment page or through phishing forms.

5. Money Withdrawal: Using the captured details, scammers immediately transfer funds from the victim’s bank account via UPI, often in small multiple transactions to avoid detection.

6. No Ticket, No Refund: The victim never receives any ticket confirmation or refund as the entire transaction was fraudulent.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited WhatsApp messages or forwards offering deep discounts on tickets.

• Links to websites with URLs that slightly differ from official ticket platforms (e.g., www.bookmymoviee.com instead of bookmyshow.com).

• Urgency or panic language: “Only 10 tickets left!” or “Special festival offer ends in 1 hour!”

• Requests for UPI PIN, OTP, or Aadhaar details during payment—legitimate platforms never ask for these directly.

• Poor website design, spelling mistakes, or unprofessional logos.

• Payment page redirects to unknown or suspicious apps or pop-ups.

• No contact number or customer support details on the ticketing site.

What Happens to Victims

Victims often suffer immediate financial loss through unauthorized UPI transactions that are difficult to reverse without RBI intervention. Since scammers harvest OTPs or UPI PINs, the money gets transferred within minutes to unknown accounts. Some also lose personal information linked to Aadhaar, increasing risks of identity fraud. Victims report immense stress and helplessness, especially when the scam hits just before important festivals or travel dates.

Due to UPI’s real-time payment system, complaints must be swift, or scammers move funds out before banks or RBI can freeze transfers. Frequently, victims also face issues with SIM swap frauds – a tactic scammers use to intercept OTPs sent to mobile phones.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

RBI’s official advisory cautions users never to share UPI PINs or OTPs with anyone, even if a website or person claims to represent a legitimate company. RBI helpline 1800-22-6232 is available for reporting unauthorized transactions.

CERT-In urges internet users to verify website URLs carefully and avoid clicking on unsolicited links, especially on WhatsApp or social media. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) recommends reporting all cyber fraud incidents promptly through the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in so law enforcement can act swiftly.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Always buy tickets from official websites or trusted apps like IRCTC, BookMyShow, or verified travel portals.

2. Avoid clicking on links received through WhatsApp or social media unless you have independently verified them.

3. Never share your UPI PIN, OTP, Aadhaar details, or bank passwords with anyone—not even customer service.

4. Confirm website URLs carefully — look for HTTPS and correct domain spellings.

5. Enable UPI transaction alerts on your phone and check statements regularly for unauthorized charges.

6. Use multi-factor authentication on ticketing and payment apps whenever possible.

7. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is—exercise caution with “special discounts” or “limited tickets.”

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately block your UPI payment app and contact your bank to report unauthorized transactions. Use your bank’s fraud helpline and seek a temporary freeze on your accounts.

• Report the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in with all details of the transaction and scam messages.

• Call the cybercrime helpline at 1930 to get assistance and guidance.

• Inform your mobile provider if you suspect SIM swap fraud to restore control over your number.

• Change passwords and PINs for all linked accounts and apps.

• If you have shared Aadhaar or other sensitive data, consider registering for the UIDAI’s Aadhaar Locking/Unlocking service to restrict misuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can RBI reverse UPI transactions made in fake ticket scams?
A: RBI can intervene in some cases of fraud, but since UPI payments happen instantly, it is critical to report quickly. Reversals are not guaranteed if too much time passes.

Q: How do scammers get my OTP or UPI PIN?
A: They use phishing websites or fraudulent payment pages that trick you into entering these details, which are then stolen in real-time.

Q: Are all discounted ticket offers on WhatsApp fake?
A: Not necessarily, but most unsolicited offers with steep discounts and urgent language are suspicious. Always verify from official sources before proceeding.

Ticket scams like these cause heavy financial losses and emotional distress in India. Stay vigilant during festivals and travel seasons — never rush into payments without double-checking the source.

If you receive suspicious ticket offers or links, verify them first at BharatSecure.app. Protect yourself and your loved ones from cyber fraud!