Foreign Tourists Fall Victim to Taj Mahal Ticket Scam in Agra
In a concerning incident of cyberfraud, three foreign tourists were allegedly deceived into purchasing tickets for the Taj Mahal through a fraudulent website, resulting in a total loss of $105 (approximately Rs 9,700). The Agra police confirmed the case on Friday, highlighting the risks associated with online ticket bookings for popular monuments.
Discovery of the Fraud at the Monument
The scam came to light on Monday when the tourists arrived at the western gate of the Taj Mahal with tickets they had bought online. Bablu Kumar Paswan, a staff member stationed at the gate, noticed discrepancies in the tickets during routine checks. This prompted a senior conservation assistant from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to file a formal police complaint.
Upon verification, it was determined that the tickets were invalid. The tourists had used a portal named ticketstajmahal.com to make their purchases, paying significantly more than the official price. For instance, a single ticket for foreigners, which includes access to the main mausoleum, is officially priced at Rs 1,300, but one tourist paid $35 (around Rs 3,230) through the fake site.
Legal Action and Investigation Underway
Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered on Thursday at the Agra cybercrime police station. The case has been filed under BNS sections 318(4) for cheating and 319(2) for cheating by personation, along with relevant sections of the IT Act. Additional DCP (Taj security) Piyush Kant Rai stated that ASI employees near the Taj Mahal received information about individuals creating a fake website to sell counterfeit tickets to foreign tourists. The complaint has been handed over to the cybercrime team for a thorough investigation.
Authorized Platforms and Previous Incidents
The ASI, which manages ticketing for the Taj Mahal, has clarified that only two authorized platforms are legitimate for online bookings. They have urged tourists to exercise extreme caution while booking tickets to avoid such scams. Notably, this is not an isolated case; a similar incident involving fake online ticket bookings for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort was reported earlier. In February 2023, the ASI headquarters in Delhi filed an FIR at the cyber police station in central Delhi against the same website, ticketstajmahal.com.
Key Takeaways for Tourists:
- Always use official ASI-authorized websites for Taj Mahal ticket purchases.
- Be wary of websites offering tickets at inflated prices or with suspicious domains.
- Report any suspected fraud immediately to local authorities or ASI staff.
This incident underscores the growing threat of cyberfraud targeting tourists and the importance of vigilance in digital transactions. Authorities are actively probing the matter to prevent future occurrences and protect visitors to India's iconic heritage sites.
