New Delhi: Countless travelers have experienced the frustration of attempting to secure train reservations at the exact moment IRCTC’s booking system launches, only to discover complete unavailability within moments. This widespread passenger concern now has an explanation, as The Times of India reveals IRCTC’s investigation into an extensive fraudulent operation affecting India’s railway booking system.
Railway authorities documented 2.9 lakh questionable ticket reservations (PNRs) between January and May 2025, all processed within a mere five-minute window following booking availability. These transactions weren’t conducted by legitimate travelers but represented systematic fraud utilizing automation software and fabricated user profiles to monopolize ticket inventory.
The Times of India’s coverage details Indian Railways’ comprehensive response throughout this timeframe. Authorities eliminated over 2.5 crore counterfeit user profiles while marking an additional 20 lakh accounts for identity re-confirmation. The majority of these fraudulent profiles utilized temporary email services disposable addresses with limited usage creating significant challenges for tracking perpetrators.
Fraudulent operators would secure substantial ticket quantities before reselling them to authentic passengers at substantially marked-up rates. Railway officials noted that this practice particularly impacted popular travel corridors and peak travel periods.
IRCTC has now deployed anti-BOT detection systems to distinguish between genuine human users and automated booking software. Additionally, the organization has integrated a Leading Content Delivery Network to enhance both speed and security within their reservation platform.
According to The Times of India’s reporting, authorities have registered 134 formal complaints through the National Cyber Crime Portal while blocking over 6,800 fraudulent email domains during this enforcement initiative.
Railway representatives clarified that authentic passengers bear no responsibility for this situation genuine ticket scarcity remains a legitimate issue. To address capacity constraints, the Railways continues expanding train services and increasing seating availability on high-demand routes.
The anti-fraud initiative remains ongoing, aimed at providing more legitimate travelers with equitable access to direct and secure ticket purchasing options.