The Maha Kumbh Mela in India is regarded as the largest religious gathering in the world, which also sees a growing number of attendees with each celebration. As the congregation invites people, cybercriminals also dip their fingers to prey on those who want to participate in this pilgrimage.
According to some experts at Kaspersky, they have spotted fraudulent stores where cybercriminals try to deceive users into making payments for orders that are never delivered. Thus, ultimately stealing their money. Here's a detailed look at how these scams are being executed. Also there are steps which you can follow to stay safe from such scams. Let's check these out!
Scamming people with fake price tags | PR Handout
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela is considered especially auspicious, as it coincides with a rare alignment of constellations. This has been the most significant religious event in the last 144 years. It is no surprise that devotees from around the world would like to participate and to buy keepsakes of it.
Howevr, at the same time cybercriminals are also up-to-date with the main events and trends around the world. They also know how to lure consumers and exploit their interest and devotion towards this grand religious gathering.
Here's how to stay safe from such scams. You need to follow the tips given below to avoid falling victim to such scams:
Verify website authenticity: Check URLs, domain names, and customer reviews before making purchases online.
Be wary of unsolicited offers: Scammers often use pop-ups, ads, or phishing emails to direct users to fraudulent sites.
Avoid sharing personal information: Only provide sensitive details on secure, verified platforms.
Price scams | PR Handout
The way ahead
Looking ahead, “While emotions can be running high, consumers should take time to verify the stores they are visiting and purchasing items from. A little bit of skepticism towards independent online stores would be beneficial to protect your identity and your money against clever cybercriminals,” Jaydeep Singh, General Manager for India at Kaspersky, concluded.
