Tatkal and General Tickets Were Being Snatched by Fake IDs Within Minutes, IRCTC Investigates Massive Fraud
New Delhi, June 5, 2025 – Millions of railway passengers across India have faced a frustrating situation for months—train tickets appearing sold out within minutes of booking windows opening. Now, a major scam behind this issue has come to light. IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) has uncovered a network of fake IDs and agents who were manipulating the system to block genuine passengers from booking tickets.
Fake IDs and PNRs Behind the Scam
According to IRCTC officials, the scam revolved around the use of fake user IDs and fake PNRs. A large number of agents created multiple fake accounts to grab tickets as soon as the booking window opened. Whether it was Tatkal or general reservations, tickets would be gone in less than five minutes, leaving genuine users with long waiting lists.
During the investigation, 2.9 lakh suspicious PNRs were identified by IRCTC. These were mostly booked immediately after the 10:00 AM opening window, pointing toward bot usage and organized fraud.
Massive Cleanup of User Accounts
In response, IRCTC has taken strong action. Between January and May 2025, approximately 2.5 crore user IDs were deactivated. An additional 20 lakh user accounts are currently under investigation. Authorities also reported that 134 cyber complaints were blocked on the National Cyber Crime Portal, and nearly 6,800 suspicious email domains—used for disposable fake accounts—were blacklisted.
Anti-Bot Software Introduced for Fair Booking
To restore fairness to the booking process, IRCTC has now implemented advanced anti-bot software and upgraded its ticketing system. These changes aim to prevent automated scripts and agents from hijacking the booking process.
An IRCTC official stated, “With new technologies in place, passengers will now find it easier to book tickets, even during peak seasons like festivals and summer vacations.”
Passengers Expected to Benefit
This move is expected to bring major relief to regular travelers, who often struggle to secure confirmed tickets, especially during high-demand periods. The Indian Railways has assured that it will continue monitoring and enhancing its digital infrastructure to ensure transparency and accessibility for all passengers.
