Air ticket service providers alerted to take precautions as hackers engage in unauthorized ticket sales

Published On: June 9, 2023 05:07 PM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, June 9: Following the unauthorized issuance of air tickets by hackers, the concerned service providers have been alerted to take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.

The Cyber Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has written a letter to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) requesting their cooperation in creating awareness after multiple cases have come to light. "There has been an increase in unauthorized access by hackers in the sale of air tickets in recent days. Therefore, we kindly request all relevant parties to promptly inform the respective ticketing agencies and other offices to ensure the safety of this matter," states the letter issued by the CIB to the NTB.

Additionally, the letter requests the NTB to coordinate with the relevant airlines and software companies to provide the required information in the designated format as soon as possible. This information is necessary for the ongoing investigation.

The NTB has initiated awareness activities to address the issue. Mani Raj Lamichhane, Director of the NTB, informed Republica that the concerned agencies have been notified to raise awareness among service providers, urging them to exercise caution and refrain from sharing their confidential information indiscriminately. Lamichhane emphasized the importance of verification before conducting business transactions to ensure security and safety.

Director Lamichhane further stated that comprehensive precautionary measures have been advised to all agencies and individuals involved. The Cyber Bureau is actively investigating the incident as well.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Pashupati Kumar Rai at CIB mentioned that an investigation has been launched based on the complaints filed at the Bureau. He also expressed his intention to inform the NTB through a letter, aiming to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Recent reports have revealed that millions of unauthorized tickets were sold by various organizations, including Cosmo Nepal Travel and Tour. The hacker specifically targeted air ticket sales and distribution companies, gaining unauthorized access to login credentials through 'phishing' techniques.

 


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