Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: The Union Ministry of External Affairs has alerted the general public about the fake websites related to Passport services.
A senior official of the Ministry today said, ” It has come to the notice of the Ministry that many fraudulent websites and mobile applications are collecting data from applicants and also levying additional hefty charges for filling up the online application form and scheduling appointment for Passport and related services. Some of these fake website are registered in the domain name *.org, *.in, *.com such as www.indiapassport.org, www.online-passportindia.com, www.passportindiaportal.in, www.passport-india.in, www.passport-seva.in, www.applypassport.org and many other similar looking websites.”
“It is, therefore, advised to all citizens applying for Indian Passport and related services that they should not visit to the abovementioned fraudulent websites or make payment related to Passport services. The official website of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for applying Passport services is www.passportindia.gov.in. Alternatively, applicants may also use the official mobile App mPassport Seva which can be downloaded from Android and iOS application stores,” the official said.
“This office has not authorised any agents in this regard. So, RPO has advised applicants not to deal with any touts or agents etc and warned to avoid other 03rd parties or intermediaries,” the official added.