The Ministry of Tourism has registered a complaint with the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police regarding several fake websites which are using its 'Incredible India' tagline to dupe gullible visitors.
An FIR was lodged yesterday under section 420/511 of the IPC and 66 (A) of the IT Act at the Cyber Crime Cell under Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police.
In its complaint addressed to Delhi Police Commissioner, the department said, "As you are aware that the Ministry of Tourism, Government India is promoting the Incredible India logo since 2002 to market India. The Incredible India tagline is registered as a copyright of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi."
The official website (www.Incredibleindia.Org) of the Ministry of Tourism is also maintained under the 'Incredible India' tagline, to disseminate tourism related information. The website is an integral part of the 'Incredible India' international marketing campaign, it said.
"It has been brought to our notice that several fake websites under the Incredible India tagline are available on the Internet. These fake websites claim to be official websites of the Ministry of Tourism and exist with URL addresses very similar to ours," the complaint said.
The department has enclosed print outs of the home pages of these fake websites (tourisminindia.Com, incredibleindia.Org.In, incredible-india.Com, incredibleindiatourism.In) with its complaint.
"Most of the fake websites are commercial websites and are conducting business in the name of the Ministry of Tourism," the complaint said.
The department has requested Delhi Police to take necessary action against these "unscrupulous" elements to protect the image of the country and travellers' interests so that they do not assume that these websites have the blessings of the government.
"We have registered an FIR after we received a complaint in this regard from the Tourism Ministry and investigations have been taken up," said a police official.
