As the Pran Pratishtha ceremony for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya arrives on January 22, a deceptive WhatsApp scam has emerged, posing a new threat to unwary victims. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the event’s enthusiasm by approaching unwary fans with a fake promise of free VIP entrance. Here is the complete tale.
Users on WhatsApp are apparently receiving messages offering to provide a free VIP admission to the Ram Mandir inauguration, but these offers are fraudulent and should be avoided. People are receiving phony messages, and some users on X (formerly Twitter) have questioned their legitimacy. The deceptive message encourages users to download an APK file to gain VIP access. Security experts, however, believe that this file contains adware or malware, offering a major danger of data theft to anyone who fall victim to the hoax. It is best to avoid downloading or opening any links included in the mail.
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The message congratulates the recipients, saying, “You are getting VIP access at Ram Mandir’s inauguration on January 22; download the VIP Pass by installing the application.” It is important to emphasize that neither the government nor the Ram Mandir Trust send VIP invitations in return for app downloads. Individuals with legitimate invites or those doing official government activities are eligible for admittance.
According to the Times of India, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to work on canceling advance bookings at local hotels and prioritizing lodging for those formally invited by the trust to guarantee a successful event.
Beyond the WhatsApp fraud, there are worries about phony websites providing free prasad from the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Devotees are being requested to pay shipping costs, although the legitimacy of these websites is questionable. As a result, it is best not to spend money on such items until you receive a valid notification from the government. To avoid possible frauds, it’s suggested that consumers exercise care online and stick to dealing with trustworthy websites. It is preferable to depend on official government sources for information and avoid any questionable solicitations or offers regarding the approaching inauguration.
