Pune, July 31st 2025: Quick Heal Technologies Limited, a global provider of cybersecurity solutions, has detected a surge in fraudulent helicopter ticket booking schemes targeting devotees planning to visit Kedarnath during the peak Char Dham Yatra season. The company’s researchers at Seqrite Labs, India’s largest malware analysis facility, have identified a sophisticated network of fake websites and social media profiles designed to exploit pilgrims’ trust and urgency, resulting in significant financial losses and disruption of sacred travel plans.
Cybercriminals are capitalizing on the high demand for helicopter services to the revered pilgrimage site by creating convincing fake booking platforms that impersonate legitimate operators such as Himalayan Heli and IRCTC. These fraudulent schemes particularly target senior citizens and families who prefer the convenience and speed of helicopter transport due to Kedarnath’s difficult terrain and high altitude conditions. The scams follow a predictable pattern where criminals establish fake websites or social media profiles, pose as representatives of well-known agencies, offer too-good-to-be-true discounts to lure victims into making advance payments, and then disappear once funds are transferred.
Recent incidents have highlighted the severity of this emerging threat. In one documented case, several individuals were defrauded while attempting to book helicopter tickets for the Char Dham Yatra, with victims initially paying ₹15,000 per person for a Guptkashi-Kedarnath flight before being asked to pay an additional ₹30,000. No tickets were ever issued, and the fraudulent agency became completely unreachable, leaving pilgrims both financially devastated and unable to complete their spiritual journey as planned.
These scams represent a particularly cruel exploitation of faith and devotion. Criminals are not only stealing money but also disrupting sacred travel plans and causing profound emotional distress to families who have been planning these religious pilgrimages for months or even years. The impact extends beyond immediate financial losses, as these fraudulent operations also harvest sensitive personal data including phone numbers, banking details, and addresses for use in future scams. This data theft creates long-term risks for victims who may face additional fraud attempts even after the initial helicopter booking scam has concluded.
Quick Heal AntiFraud.AI platform provides comprehensive protection against these evolving threats through multiple defensive layers. The solution delivers real-time alerts when users click on suspicious links or attempt to install potentially harmful applications, while its Screen Sharing Alert feature detects unauthorized screen sharing attempts and automatically blocks access to finance-related applications. The platform’s Call Forwarding Alert notifies users when their calls are being redirected, and the Payee Name Announcer helps prevent QR code scams by providing audio confirmation of transaction recipients. Additionally, the system monitors secure transactions and provides alerts about online banking frauds.
The company strongly advises pilgrims to book Kedarnath helicopter tickets exclusively through the official IRCTC HeliYatra Portal at heliyatra.irctc.co.in and to verify all websites and URLs before entering personal or payment information. Devotees should exercise particular caution with social media handles, as official operators rarely offer deals through direct messages, and should never share one-time passwords, account passwords, or personal details with unsolicited contacts.
Quick Heal Technologies Limited also reiterates the importance of downloading applications only from verified app stores such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store and reporting suspicious profiles and fraudulent advertisements immediately upon discovery. The company recommends that all pilgrims install trusted security solutions like AntiFraud.AI to provide continuous protection throughout their booking process and journey.