# TTD takes down 259 fake websites in two years

2026-08-18T16:10:09+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has identified and taken down 259 fake websites over the past two years, and registered cases against several individuals associated with them. Fraudsters operate bogus websites, WhatsApp accounts, and social media pages under TTD's name, luring devotees with offers to arrange darshan tickets, accommodation, and sevas, then collecting money under false pretences. TTD has set up special surveillance with its IT and Vigilance wings, Cyber Crime Police, and other departments to act against those misusing TTD's name, logo, and trademarks. Devotees are repeatedly advised to book darshan, sevas, and accommodation only through the official TTD website or mobile app, and not to share personal details with strangers. In a separate incident, TTD Vigilance foiled an attempt by a broker gang using fake identity documents to obtain rooms at the CRO office in Tirumala. A man from Kerala, Ashiq Ali P.M., was apprehended with two fake Aadhaar cards and a room registration slip. He said he was paid Rs 1,000 per room by a broker named Ranjith. Police are investigating.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Deccan Herald report is a straight, neutral account of TTD's actions against fake websites and a specific broker gang arrest, with no discernible slant. It leads with the 259-figure, giving the story a quantitative anchor, and quotes a TTD official's warning verbatim, reinforcing the official narrative of vigilance and legal action. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, with no alternative view or criticism of TTD's own systems. The measured takeaway is that TTD is publicly demonstrating enforcement, but the repeated complaints suggest the problem persists. Watch for the number of new cases registered and whether the police investigation identifies the broker Ranjith.

## Coverage

Coverage: 1 source, 1 neutral
- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/in-2-years-ttd-takes-down-259-fake-websites-4115703>
  Straight news agency style reporting, leads with TTD's action and includes official warning

This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.

Tags: Ashiq Ali P.M., Cyber crime, Tirumala, TTD
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ttd-takes-down-259-fake-websites-in-two-years/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ttd-takes-down-259-fake-websites-in-two-years/#story-in-brief

How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/
