In a recent series of cyber fraud incidents, Indigo Airlines has confirmed that cybercriminals targeted passengers by obtaining their PNR (Passenger Name Record) details and manipulating their contact information. The airline issued a cautionary advisory on Wednesday, urging passengers not to share their PNR and contact details on public forums.
The most recent incident involved a Noida-based techie, Nishith Chaturvedi, who purchased eight Indigo tickets worth Rs 72,600. Chaturvedi discovered that his tickets were mysteriously canceled after sharing his PNR with an Indigo representative via a private message on X, a social media platform. Upon contacting customer care, he was initially informed that the cancellation was initiated from his end. However, after persistent inquiries and an investigation, Indigo acknowledged the cyber fraud and offered Chaturvedi a full refund, including cancellation charges, as a gesture of goodwill.
Indigo Airlines released a statement to Moneycontrol, stating, “We are aware of an incident involving an Indigo customer who was defrauded by cybercriminals. The passenger had reached out to the IndiGo team on X with their PNR details visible in the public domain. Indigo’s social media team assisted the passenger and advised not to share PNR details in public.”
The airline emphasized the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of PNR and contact details, revealing that the fraudsters altered personal information and subsequently canceled bookings. Indigo assured passengers that it adheres to industry-standard cybersecurity protocols and continuously works to enhance them.
In an effort to prevent further incidents, Indigo urged all customers not to share PNR or contact details with unauthorized individuals or websites and to avoid posting such information on public platforms like X.
This incident follows a similar attempt earlier this month, where a 32-year-old woman in Bengaluru narrowly escaped a scam when cybercriminals impersonated Indigo agents, attempting to extort approximately Rs 15,600 from her. The vigilant woman, however, grew suspicious and contacted the official helpline number, avoiding falling victim to the fraudulent scheme.
Indigo Airlines is actively addressing these cyber threats and remains committed to ensuring the security and trust of its passengers in the digital space. Passengers are urged to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities to the airline’s official channels.