scam
The Maha Kumbh Mela in India is regarded as the largest religious gathering in the world, which also sees a growing number of attendees with each celebration. As the congregation invites international delegations and piques human interest around the world, cybercriminals also get involved to prey on those who want to participate in this pilgrimage.
Experts at Kaspersky have spotted fraudulent stores where cybercriminals try to deceive users into making payments for orders that are never delivered – ultimately stealing their money.
The following examples show a scam shop promising Maha Kumbh merchandise – including packaged holy water from the Ganges, holy ashes, and Himalayan Rudrasksh prayer beads:
Example of Maha Kumbh-related scam shop
Jaydeep Singh, General Manager for India at Kaspersky, said: “The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela is considered especially auspicious, as it coincides with a rare alignment of constellations, making it the most significant in the last 144 years. It’s no surprise that devotees from around the world would like to participate and buy keepsakes of it. At the same time, cybercriminals are up-to-date with the main events and trends around the world, and they sure know how to lure consumers and exploit their interest and devotion towards this grand religious gathering. While emotions can be running high, consumers should take time to verify the stores they’re visiting and purchasing items from. A little bit of scepticism towards independent online stores would be beneficial to protect your identity – and money – against clever cybercriminals.”
Kaspersky has provided the following tips to avoid falling victim to such scams:
- Verify website authenticity: Check URLs, domain names, and customer reviews before making purchases online.
- Be wary of unsolicited offers: Scammers often use pop-ups, ads, or phishing emails to direct users to fraudulent sites.
- Avoid sharing personal information: Only provide sensitive details on secure, verified platforms.
- Use comprehensive security solutions: Reliable cybersecurity software, like Kaspersky Premium, can block phishing sites, prevent malware infections, and protect your online payments by using a secure browser.
