Key Takeaways
- Rising cyber frauds targeting tourists in Goa and other major tourist destinations is a growing concern.
- Protecting tourists’ digital safety is as important as ensuring their physical security.
- The government is being urged to enforce strict KYC norms for tourism-related websites and ensure real-time monitoring and swift takedown of fraudulent platforms.
During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha today, MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade raised the issue of rising cyber frauds targeting tourists in Goa and other major tourist destinations. Tanavade highlighted that while Goa has emerged as a major tourism hub and a preferred destination for digital nomads and remote workers, there has been a sharp increase in online scams related to hotel bookings and digital payment frauds.
Fake hotels, homestays, and fraudulent websites created in the names of reputed hotels and booking portals are cheating unsuspecting tourists who make advance payments and later discover that no such booking exists.
He noted that despite repeated advisories, organised fraud networks continue to operate using fake websites, virtual mobile numbers, and anonymous digital platforms. Advisory warnings alone are insufficient to tackle this menace.
Calling it a serious threat to tourist safety and India’s tourism image, Tanavade urged the Government to enforce strict KYC norms for tourism-related websites and ensure real-time monitoring and swift takedown of fraudulent platforms.
He stressed that protecting tourists’ digital safety is as important as ensuring their physical security.
