The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken action against a recent surge in online booking frauds targeting devotees planning visits to the Golden Temple. A formal complaint has been filed with the Amritsar police against unidentified individuals who allegedly deceived a devotee by pretending to offer accommodation reservations.
Bhagwant Singh, the manager of the Golden Temple, confirmed that a case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66-D of the IT Act has been registered with the city’s cyber crime unit. The complaint stems from an incident involving a devotee who had been duped into paying for accommodation through a fraudulent online portal. The devotee discovered the scam when he arrived at the Saragarhi Sarai and found that his reservation was non-existent.
“This is not an isolated case. There have been several reports of devotees, particularly those from out of town and abroad, falling victim to these online scammers,” Singh explained. The fraudulent websites often feature misleading images and claims of affiliation with the Golden Temple and SGPC-managed sarais, tricking users into making advance payments ranging from Rs 850 to Rs 4,200 via online wallets or QR codes. Once the payment is processed, the scammers typically deactivate their contact numbers, leaving victims without a reservation and out of pocket.
Gurpreet Singh, the manager of SGPC’s Sarai operations, highlighted that this scheme is not new. “We’ve previously encountered fake websites like Bharatibiz.com and Saragarhisaraihotel.com that posed similar threats. Although we succeeded in having those sites shut down, new fraudulent platforms continue to emerge,” he said.
To combat these scams, SGPC has issued a stern warning on its official website, www.sgpcsarai.com. The notice advises devotees to make bookings exclusively through this verified portal. It also emphasizes that payment should only be made through the official site, with a standard fee of Rs 500 to Rs 1,100 for various sarais. SGPC strictly disclaims any involvement in transactions through QR codes or external payment links.
The SGPC further cautioned that legitimate room bookings at the Saragarhi Niwas or other SGPC sarais do not require a 50 percent advance payment and that no additional fees are collected by individuals or unofficial websites.
The SGPC and local law enforcement agencies are actively working to address these fraudulent activities. However, they stress that public vigilance remains crucial. Devotees are advised to verify the authenticity of booking platforms and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
For more information and to book accommodations, devotees should only use the official SGPC booking website, www.sgpcsarai.com. The SGPC’s efforts to raise awareness and safeguard devotees highlight the importance of staying informed and cautious when making online transactions.
