From Free Prasad To VIP Seats, Ayodhya Ram Mandir Scams In Play To Loot Devotees Using Religious Sentiments

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As India gears up for the grand inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, a landmark event stoking devotion and national pride, it has unfortunately also become fertile ground for nefarious cybercrime activities. Scamsters are exploiting the fervour of the moment, seeking to dupe unsuspecting devotees with various fraudulent schemes related to the "historic" Ram temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony scheduled for January 22.

It is crucial for everyone to stay vigilant and be informed about the types of scams that are currently circulating to protect themselves and their loved ones from being victimized. Through this post, let us unravel the scams related to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir ceremony to ensure you remain safe from hackers who are using religious sentiments to conduct cybercrimes.

1. Free VIP Passes Scam
With the viral spread of messages on platforms such as WhatsApp, the scam offering free VIP passes to the Ram Mandir is one that has caught many off guard. Imagine receiving a message that promises you exclusive access to one of the most awaited religious ceremonies. It's tempting, isn't it? Yet, the attached file named "Ram Janmabhoomi Grihsampark Abhiyan.apk" file is nothing but a bait. Installing this file and filling up a form to avail this opportunity can compromise your personal data including passwords, personal messages, card numbers, location, contacts, etc., and potentially give hackers free rein over your mobile device.

So, How To Get Entry Into Ayodhya Ram Temple On 22 January?
Individuals who have valid invites or are on government duty will be allowed to enter Ayodhya on 22 January to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has also instructed authorities to ask local hotels to cancel advance bookings as far as possible to give preference to the invitees of the trust, mentions a TOI report.

Post-consecration ceremony, the temple will be open for devotees to perform "Aarti" of the deity of Lord Ram. The free passes for the "Aarti" can be obtained offline and online.

'Aarti pass' section manager, Dhruvesh Mishra has told ANI that aarti will be held three times a day and it can be attended by the ones who are pass holders. The pass for the aarti can be obtained by producing government-issued ID cards. Currently, only 30 people are allowed to attend aarti with a pass and this number can increase depending on the number of devotees. Also, this service will remain free of cost.

2. Fake Fundraising Scam

In another sacrilegious act, hackers have set up a fraudulent social media page "Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Chhetra Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh" that solicits donations for the construction of the Ram temple. Some users have even received messages from entities masquerading as ISKCON asking for funds. It is essential to verify the authenticity of any organization before making a donation, as these fake IDs are designed to swindle you out of your hard-earned money in the guise of a noble cause. The page is equipped with a QR code as well.

This post was shared by a X (Twitter) user, Vinod Bansal who warned people regarding making such contributions. Further, he said that the matter has been flagged to the Union Home Ministry and police chiefs in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

3. Free Prasad Scam
A website named "Khadi Organic" is purporting to offer free prasad from the Ram Mandir post the "Pran Prathistha" event upon booking. It claims that the devotees will receive free prasad of Ram Mandir at home. However, there are no ties between the website and the official Ram Janmabhoomi Trust or any recognized government entity.

On social media, many claim it to be a scam, which is yet to be confirmed. Some also believe this to be a marketing strategy. The video claimed that the prasad, sent by this website by placing an order, is not actually from Ram Mandir and that it takes the delivery cost of ₹50. Meanwhile, a social media user alleged, "As soon as the users tagged them they stopped taking orders..." There are other websites too who claim to offer "free Ram Mandir prasad" or "Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Ayodhya Prasad".

As per a report published in Jansatta, the company closed the online booking for prasad "due to huge demand". The report advised people to book free prasad on the first day of the event at their own risk.

How to Avoid Falling Prey to Scams

The key to avoiding these deceptions is diligence. Always cross-check information with official sources, and be prudent when divulging personal information or engaging in financial transactions online, particularly those related to the Ram temple ceremony. The digital world is teeming with predators waiting for a chance to exploit reverence and faith. Staying alert and informed is your best defense against these cyber criminals who are looking to cash in on this propitious event.