As the Indian city of Ayodhya gears up for the Ram Mandir inauguration, reports reveal a disturbing rise in cybercriminals exploiting the event. Scammers are using WhatsApp to lure individuals with promises of free VIP entry to the temple on January 22.
Some victims have received initial messages containing an APK file named 'Ram Janmabhoomi Grihsampark Abhiyan.APK'. The messages coerce users into installing the APK for supposed VIP access, urging them to share it with others. Importantly, neither the state nor the central government, event organizers, nor the temple trust are associated with this scam. It targets explicitly individuals eager to witness the Ram temple's inauguration, as reported by News 18.
(Photo : Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images)
Indian Authorities Warn The Public
Downloading such files poses significant risks, as the embedded malware can lead to severe consequences, including stealing personal data, such as login credentials and credit card information. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) reported a miscreant named Abhishek Kumar soliciting funds for Ayodhya Temple Development on social media, using fake UPI QR codes.
"In Facebook groups, he shared UPI QR codes alongside the caption 'Ram Mandir Ayodhya Chanda Pradarshan Karen,' redirecting users to the UPI ID '9040914736@Paytm' under the name Manisha Nallabelly upon scanning," revealed Girish Bhardwaj, a VHP member, in a communication addressed to the Uttar Pradesh DGP and IG, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Bhardwaj emphasized in the letter that the Shri Ram Janmbhumi Teerth Kshetra Trust has consistently clarified that no private individuals are sanctioned to solicit funds for the temple.
To protect against these scams, authorities advise the public to take caution when encountering third-party APK files. If messages promising free VIP entry surface, promptly report and block the sender and file a cybercrime complaint. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and refrain from forwarding such messages.
Moreover, these malicious files enable potential attackers to monitor designated devices clandestinely. Your phone activities, such as typing, browsing, and even camera and microphone usage, can be covertly recorded. Malware can disrupt apps, render your phone non-responsive, or even erase all your data.
Ram Temple Consecration: A Momentous Event for Hindus
Amid these threats of online scams, the consecration of the Ram Temple on January 22 remains a significant event. The ceremony, conducted by High Priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit, involves Vedic rituals and marks the culmination of a week-long Amrit Mahautsav.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ceremonies, according to Firstpost.
The 51-inch-tall Krishna Shila (black stone) statue of Lord Ram, chosen for its divine qualities, will be consecrated in the Ayodhya temple. Adorned with a Yagopavit and placed on a lotus-shaped platform in the Garbh Grah, it symbolizes a momentous occasion for Hindus.
The old Ram Lalla statue, worshipped for decades, will be named "Utsav Ram" and placed before the new one. Prime Minister Modi will unveil the new statue's eye cover on January 22. The live-streaming details are yet to be announced. The temple's construction follows a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Hindus in 2019, marking a legal victory.
