What is Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam?

Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam is a reported other scam that BharatSecure has documented as affecting Indian users. Fraudsters use it to trick victims into sharing money, OTPs, or personal and banking details. It currently carries a risk rating of 9/10 (Critical).

Is Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam dangerous, and how common is it in India?

Yes. This scam is rated Critical severity (9/10) because it can lead to direct financial loss or identity theft. It spreads through SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, and fake websites, and variants are reported across India throughout the year. Treat any unexpected message or call matching this pattern as suspicious until verified.

How can I protect myself from Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam?

Verify visa applications only at official Indian government portals ending with .gov.in Report any suspicious e-visa or hotel booking website to local cybercrime authorities immediately Avoid making payments via WhatsApp or social media links — use official UPI apps linked directly to known entities Check with your bank immediately if you notice any unauthorized UPI or mobile wallet transactions Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, card numbers, or passwords; verify any request independently using official numbers from the company's real website; and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.

How do I report Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam in India?

Call 1930 (the National Cyber Crime Helpline) within 24 hours for the best chance of recovering funds, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots and transaction details. Notify your bank's fraud team to freeze transactions, and report the suspect UPI ID or phone number to BharatSecure so other users can be warned.

Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam

फर्जी ई-वीजा और होटल बुकिंग घोटाला

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated Apr 22, 2026

Dangerous Risk: 9/10 Severity: Critical BharatSecure Threat Intelligence

Category: Other, Global

Verdict Summary

Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam is a confirmed scam. Do not engage — block the sender and report to 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately.

Risk score: 9/10 · Severity: Critical · Verdict: Dangerous

Scam Intelligence: Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam

Proprietary signals from BharatSecure's scam-tracking database.

Scans & lookups	1
Last reported	Apr 17, 2026
First documented	Apr 17, 2026

How Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam Works

Scammers create websites mimicking official government e-visa portals
Users pay visa fees and escalating 'processing deposits'
Victims receive no visa and lose significant sums of money

How This Scam Works — Detailed Explanation

The Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam is a growing threat that targets Indian travelers planning international trips. Scammers create convincing fake websites that look like official government visa portals but use .com or other non-governmental URLs instead of .gov.in. These fake sites often display official-looking government logos and use templates that mimic real e-visa approval certificates. Travelers who search online for e-visa applications or hotel bookings can easily land on these fraudulent websites after clicking on ads or social media posts.

Once on the fake website, victims are asked to fill in personal details like Aadhaar numbers, passport information, and contact details. The scammers then demand payments for visa fees or hotel bookings via UPI apps, WhatsApp pay links, or mobile wallets, instead of official secured channels or government portals. These payments are untraceable and once transferred, the scammer cuts off communication. Sometimes, the victim receives a fake visa approval or hotel confirmation that appears real but is entirely bogus.

Scammers also use social media pages to promote fake hotel deals with cloned booking interfaces. They often create urgency by claiming 'limited spots' or 'urgent processing' and escalate fees by asking for additional payments for faster processing. Many travellers fall prey because they trust visual elements and fake endorsements shared on WhatsApp or Facebook. After payment, victims lose thousands of rupees with no real visa or hotel booking secured. By the time they realize the fraud, the travel date is near, making it difficult or costly to arrange genuine documents or bookings.

Victims suffer not only financial loss but also immense stress and travel disruptions. Some have reported identity theft where their Aadhaar or passport details were misused for other scams. Banks and mobile payment platforms report rising complaints related to such frauds. Indian security agencies warn travellers to verify all visa and hotel bookings through official government portals and reputed travel agencies. Awareness about these fake e-visa and hotel scams is crucial to protect your money and personal information.

Visual Intelligence: Fake Template Detection

BharatSecure's AI has identified this as a fake template detection used in scams targeting Indian users.

Who Does Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam Target?

International tourists and travelers

Red Flags — How to Identify Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam

Non-government URLs (.com instead of .gov)
Requests for payments via social media pages
Escalating fees for 'urgent' processing

What To Do If You Encounter Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam

Verify visa applications only at official Indian government portals ending with .gov.in
Report any suspicious e-visa or hotel booking website to local cybercrime authorities immediately
Avoid making payments via WhatsApp or social media links — use official UPI apps linked directly to known entities
Check with your bank immediately if you notice any unauthorized UPI or mobile wallet transactions
Share scam details with family and friends to prevent others from falling victim

How to Report Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam in India

Call 1930 — National Cyber Crime Helpline (24x7)
File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
Contact your bank immediately if money was lost
Call RBI helpline: 14440 for banking fraud

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam?: Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam is a reported other scam that BharatSecure has documented as affecting Indian users. Fraudsters use it to trick victims into sharing money, OTPs, or personal and banking details. It currently carries a risk rating of 9/10 (Critical).
Is Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam dangerous, and how common is it in India?: Yes. This scam is rated Critical severity (9/10) because it can lead to direct financial loss or identity theft. It spreads through SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, and fake websites, and variants are reported across India throughout the year. Treat any unexpected message or call matching this pattern as suspicious until verified.
How can I protect myself from Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam?: Verify visa applications only at official Indian government portals ending with .gov.in Report any suspicious e-visa or hotel booking website to local cybercrime authorities immediately Avoid making payments via WhatsApp or social media links — use official UPI apps linked directly to known entities Check with your bank immediately if you notice any unauthorized UPI or mobile wallet transactions Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, card numbers, or passwords; verify any request independently using official numbers from the company's real website; and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.
How do I report Fake E-Visa/Hotel Booking Scam in India?: Call 1930 (the National Cyber Crime Helpline) within 24 hours for the best chance of recovering funds, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots and transaction details. Notify your bank's fraud team to freeze transactions, and report the suspect UPI ID or phone number to BharatSecure so other users can be warned.

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