Article
₹85 Crore Fake MakeMyTrip Website Fraud, Travel Booking Portal Scam exposed how 85 crore was looted through a fake MakeMyTrip website, revealing the scale of the cyber fraud network uncovered in Muzaffarnagar. What looked like a simple travel booking turned into a nationwide financial trap involving fake QR codes, rented bank accounts, and cryptocurrency conversion. This was not a small-time scam. It was a structured digital operation designed to exploit trust in a known travel brand.
Fraudsters impersonated MakeMyTrip, created a cloned booking interface, and used local bank accounts to rotate stolen funds before converting them into crypto.
This is how it worked.
How the ₹85 Crore Fake Travel Booking Portal Scam Worked
Victims were targeted with attractive travel deals and discount offers. The criminals created a fake travel booking setup that closely resembled a legitimate platform.
The process followed a clear pattern:
- A cloned website or fake booking interface was shown to victims
- Discounted flights and hotel deals were promised
- Payment was requested via QR code shared on WhatsApp
- Fake booking confirmations were issued
- Victims were blocked after payment
By the time victims realized something was wrong, the money had already moved across multiple bank accounts.
The Money Mule Network Behind the Fake MakeMyTrip Website Fraud
According to reports published by Amar Ujala, the fraud was supported by a local financial routing network.
Here is where the operation becomes more structured.
Firstly, Local Bank Accounts Were Used to Rotate Funds
The accused allegedly:
- Opened multiple bank accounts in their own and relatives’ names
- Allowed fraud proceeds to pass through these accounts
- Took 5–10% commission
- Rapidly transferred funds to other accounts
Secondly, Conversion into Cryptocurrency (USDT)
After routing the funds through layered accounts, the money was reportedly converted into USDT (Tether cryptocurrency). This step made the trail harder to trace and complicated recovery efforts.
This was not just impersonation. It was digital money laundering layered beneath a travel scam.
Why People Fell for the Fake MakeMyTrip Travel Booking Website
The criminals did not breach the real company. They exploited behavior.
The scam worked because:
- People trust familiar brand names
- Heavy discounts create urgency
- QR payments feel convenient and fast
- Most users do not verify domain names carefully
- Victims assume WhatsApp communication is normal customer service
The technology was simple. The psychology was precise.
How to Detect a Fake Travel Booking Website
If you are searching how to identify fake travel booking websites, watch for these warning signs:
- Slightly altered domain names
- Extra words like “deal”, “offer”, or “booking” in the URL
- Payment requested via personal QR codes
- Only WhatsApp-based customer support
- Unbelievable discounts with time pressure
Legitimate travel platforms use secure payment gateways, not random QR codes sent in chat.
The Bigger Picture: This Was Not Just a Travel Booking Scam
This ₹85 crore case exposes a deeper reality. Cybercrime today is layered:
- Front end: Fake website or booking app
- Middle layer: Local bank account routing
- Exit layer: Cryptocurrency conversion
The domain changes, the QR code changes, the bank accounts rotate, but the structure stays the same, and it survives on one thing: user trust.
At Prime Infoserv, we believe that being aware is the first step to protect yourself from fraud. If you have any ISO compliance, cybersecurity audit, or general cybersecurity-related enquiry, you can connect with us. Prevention is always cheaper than recovery.
