Bhubaneswar: The Crime Branch (CB) of Odisha Police has blocked 14 more fake hotel websites as part of its cyber safety awareness campaign to protect devotees and tourists from online fraud during the Rath Yatra in Puri.

The CB has also blocked eight URLs spreading misleading information on the annual mega event.

A team of CB officials on Wednesday visited at least 18 hotels in the Holy City and sensitized their managements about the fake hotel websites. The team also issued the necessary advisories in this regard to the hotel owners.

Besides, the team has interacted with more than 1,100 tourists and pilgrims, creating awareness about various cyber frauds.

The Odisha Police, meanwhile, has appealed to the devotees and tourists to remain vigilant, follow cyber safety advisories, verify hotel bookings only through genuine sources, and cooperate with the police in ensuring a safe, secure, and cyber-aware Rath Yatra–2026.

It is worth mentioning here that the Crime Branch had earlier identified and blocked 212 fake hotel websites and 26 fake hotel webpages as part of the cyber safety awareness campaign in Puri.