TTD has warned devotees against cheating by middlemen in the name of darshan at Tirumala. Tirumala receives 40,000 to 1 lakh devotees every day. Many fraudsters, who are using this rush as an opportunity, are using technology and contacts to cheat people by posing as TTD employees and acting as unauthorized PROs.
In the same category, fake websites similar to the TTD website are appearing on the internet. If you book a ticket on them, it is as if your money has been lost. Some other fraudsters are getting to know the details of devotees who contact TTD and trapping them. They are introducing themselves as TTD staff and collecting money by claiming that they will provide darshan.
The fraud committed by Boya Pawan Kalyan, who was recently arrested by the Tirumala Two Town police, is proof of this. They are making people believe that they are TTD Chairman PRO, working in the JEO office, and TTD employee by putting the photos of the said officials as their WhatsApp DPs. They are deceiving them by saying that they will give them darshan tickets.
A broker who sent messages to several WhatsApp groups claiming to be TTD PRO sold free Srivari Seva slots for Rs. 800 each. They are also extorting money from devotees by claiming to be public representatives and TTD board members. Some taxi, auto drivers, and travel owners in Tirupati are giving fake tickets to devotees.
They are looting by giving SSD tokens in Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam, and Bhudevi complexes. Recently, jeep and auto drivers have been charging Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 for taking devotees from Chandragiri to Srivari Mettu and giving them free Divya Darshan tokens.
Vigilance Wing, Tirumala Police are advising that if devotees follow their instructions, they will be protected from fraud by middlemen and have a chance to catch scammers. For Srivari Darshan, accommodation and other facilities, one should register only online on the official TTD website https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in.
These facilities can also be used through the Thithi Devasthanams app. Official email IDs of TTD officials TTD EO: eottd@tirumala.org, eottdtpt@gmail.com TTD Additional EO: jeotml@tirumala.org Tirupati JEO: jeotpt@tirumala.org
VIP Break Darshan recommendation letters can be obtained directly from TTD Chairman, Governing Council members, MLAs, MLCs, MPs, TTD employees to avoid being victimized by middlemen. To resolve Srivari Darshan, accommodation and any other queries, they can call the toll-free number 1800-4254141 or 155257. Tirumala One Town Station- 94407 96769 Tirumala Two Town Station- 94407 96772.