From VIP entry to free prasad: Beware of these scams ahead of Ayodhya's Ram Temple inauguration

The much-awaited Ram Temple in Ayodhya inauguration is just days away. While the nation prepares for the opening, fraudsters are tricking devotees into believing they can get a VIP darshan on this particular date. According to several news reports, cybercriminals have come up with a new way to trick people via WhatsApp messages. They claim to give free VIP access to the temple on 22 January, seek contributions for the temple’s construction, or even offer free Prasad on or after the consecration. Let’s take a closer look. The VIP entry scam People initially received an APK (Android Application Package) file called “Ram Janmabhoomi Grihsampak Abhiyan.APK,” according to News18. Then, a pop-up window appears on the screen, requesting that users “install Ram Janmabhoomi Grihsampark Abhiyan” in order to gain VIP access and share it with Hindus. According to the report, the latest scam preys on those who are eager to see or visit the temple on the day of the inauguration.

सावधान!!
अयोध्या में भगवान श्री राम मंदिर के मंदिर के वीआईपी दर्शन इत्यादि का झांसा देकर कुछ लोग रामभक्तों को लूटने का षड्यंत्र रच रहे हैं। इस प्रकार के झूठे संदेशों के माध्यम से धोखा दे रहे हैं। समाज को ऐसे किसी झांसे में नहीं आना। इस प्रकार के संदेशों की शिकायत स्थानीय पुलिस को… pic.twitter.com/Lswz5eWtUh

— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal বিনোদ বনসল వినోద్ బన్సాల్ (@vinod_bansal) January 11, 2024

The report suggests the temple trust established to address Ayodhya temple management, the state or central governments, or the organisers of the Ram Temple event are not associated with the scam. These files may include a specific malware that is hidden and could be harmful. This is a significant problem for Android smartphones; however, since Apple forbids sideloading software on iPhones, iPhone customers are unaffected by this fraud, as per Indian Express. Malicious APKs can track the whereabouts of devices, obtain financial information, and access personal data about the users. Seeking funds via QR code fraud According to Vishwa Hindu Parishad national spokesperson Vinod Bansal, there is a fake social media page that asks users to contribute funds via QR code in the name of the Ram temple construction. The page goes by the name “Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Chhetra Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.”

सावधान..!!
श्री राम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र के नाम से फर्जी आईडी बना कर कुछ लोग पैसा ठगी का प्रयास कर रहे हैं। @HMOIndia @CPDelhi @dgpup @Uppolice को ऐसे लोगों के विरूद्ध विलम्ब कार्यवाही करनी चहिए। @ShriRamTeerth has not authorised any body to collect funds for this occasion. pic.twitter.com/YHhgTBXEKi

— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal বিনোদ বনসল వినోద్ బన్సాల్ (@vinod_bansal) December 31, 2023

More from Explainers

This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal How Tanzania’s ‘hero rats’ are saving lives by sniffing out landmines, tuberculosis

Some netizens also alleged that they received messages “purportedly from ISKCON for donations in the name of Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi.” Bansal warned against making such donations, claiming that some are attempting to deceive others by creating fake IDs in the name of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. He added that the police chiefs in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, as well as the Union Home Ministry, had been informed of the situation. Free Ram Mandir Prasad scam E-commerce giant Amazon has grown into a marketplace for unauthorised sellers pretending to give Ram Mandir Prasad that is authorised. Product descriptions claim to be endorsed by the Ram Mandir Janmabhoomi Trust, however, a closer look reveals a lack of authenticity. In an attempt to validate the deal, vendors assert that they can deliver the Prasad on or after January 22.

कभी VIP दर्शन तो कभी घर बैठे प्रसाद के नाम अनेकों विज्ञापन राम भक्तों को दिगभ्रमित कर, छल कपट का प्रयास कर रहे हैं। @amazon जैसी वेबसाइट पर भी इस तरह के अनेक विज्ञापन देखे जा रहे हैं! समाज को इनसे सावधान रहना होगा। @ShriRamTeerth ने किसी को भी इन कामों के लिए अधिकृत नहीं किया… pic.twitter.com/tyXHg7vDxs

— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal বিনোদ বনসল వినోద్ బన్సాల్ (@vinod_bansal) January 16, 2024

A number of websites, such as “Free Ram Mandir Prasad” and “Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya Prasad,” claim that Ram Mandir Prasad can be sent for free, with the only cost to the customer being the shipping costs. One of the websites, “Khadi Organic,” says it has “come up with a unique initiative, through which devotees can receive the Prasad of Ram Mandir at home,” according to Mint. A video on social media explains that this might be a scam or just a “marketing strategy.” It stated that the Prasad, delivered with a cost of Rs 50, is not truly from Ram Mandir. A user alleged, “As soon as the users tagged them they stopped taking orders.” It is pertinent to mention here, that the trust or any government institution is not associated with Khadi Organic. Social media users claim these websites to be scam, but, there is no confirmation if such sites are legitimate or how they offer these services for free. Thus, devotees and shoppers are urged to exercise caution and rely only on verified sources. The facts about Ram Temple entry and prasad On 22 January, only those with valid invitations or those on government duty would be permitted entry into Ayodhya. The Times of India reports that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath gave the go-ahead for authorities to ask that local hotels cancel reservations in advance and give the trust’s invitees priority. The temple will be open for devotees to perform Lord Ram’s “Aarti” after the consecration. One can get complimentary passes for the Aarti both physically and online. Dhruvesh Mishra, Aarti pass section manager, told ANI, “Aarti is held three times a day. Only pass-holders can attend it. The pass for the AARTI can be obtained by producing government-issued ID cards. Right now, only 30 people are allowed to attend Aarti with a pass. This number could be increased as per the number of devotees. This service is free of cost.” As a token gift, each invitee to the Ram temple consecration event next week will get a “Ramraj” and some Prasad. The soil that was removed for the temple’s foundation-laying is known as Ramraj. “More than 11,000 guests from across the country have been invited for the consecration ceremony on 22 January and they will be given memorable gifts such as Ramraj,” a Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust member told ANI. With inputs from agencies