Bengaluru Crematorium Booking Scam: ₹5,000 Charges for ₹250 Service

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The Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) has filed a police report against multiple websites suspected of imposing excessive fees for cremation slot bookings at electric crematoriums under its oversight.

Scam Details

The issue emerged after individuals visiting the facilities reported paying significantly higher amounts than the official rate for reservations. Unauthorised intermediaries were reportedly charging families between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 for securing cremation slots, despite the fixed fee of ₹250 set by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

Official Response

Officials confirmed that certain platforms created the appearance of being official booking services, collecting payments on behalf of users while inflating costs. The civic body identified websites such as “beleiv.com,” “heavengate.in,” and “swargayatraa.com” as potential offenders.

Investigation Findings

The BNCC’s investigation revealed that these platforms facilitated bookings while extracting premiums far exceeding the regulated tariff. Authorities have advised citizens to use only government-approved channels for reservations and to verify the legitimacy of any website before processing payments.

Additional Services

In addition to online intermediaries, some funeral service providers were noted for offering packages that include additional services such as ambulance transportation, hearse vehicles, and documentation assistance. These packages, which can range from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000, are separate from the official cremation fee.

Collusion Concerns

Officials highlighted that collusion between service agents and crematorium staff may enable preferential slot allocations. Law enforcement is set to investigate the operations of the websites listed in the complaint, the nature of their services, and whether users were misled about official charges.

Public Advice

Investigators will also review payment records and communication logs related to the alleged bookings. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when making online bookings for essential services, emphasizing the importance of verifying official charges through government channels and avoiding unverified platforms.

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when making online bookings for essential services, emphasizing the importance of verifying official charges through government channels and avoiding unverified platforms.