10 months ago
Gangs Use Software Hacks to Corner Train Tickets
Imagine you want to buy a ticket for a train, but there are only a few seats.
Some people use special computer programs, like secret codes named 'Avengers' or 'Tesla', to get the tickets super fast, before anyone else can.
These programs are made by clever coders and sold by 'super sellers'.
They fill in all the information in less than a second.
The train company tries to stop this with things like puzzles you have to solve.
But these programs are getting smarter and can bypass the puzzles.
This means regular people who try to book tickets the normal way often can't get them.
The police are trying to catch these people, but it's like a game where they keep finding new tricks.
Gangs are using unauthorized software like 'Brahmos' and 'Tesla' to book train tickets within seconds of booking windows opening.
These software programs bypass security measures such as OTP verification and Captcha codes, which are meant to prevent automated bookings.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is cracking down on inter-state gangs involved in developing and distributing these ticketing hacks.
Touts profit significantly by reselling tickets at highly inflated prices, with prices increasing during festive seasons.
Measures being taken by railways include delaying payment options and mandating Aadhaar verification for booking IDs, though this has increased demand for fake IDs.
- Who
- Inter-state gangs comprising software developers, online admins, 'super sellers', and touts, facilitated by unauthorized software programs.
- What
- Exploiting loopholes in online train ticket booking systems using sophisticated software to secure tickets instantly, leaving genuine passengers stranded.
- Where
- Across India, with developers traced to villages in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, and illegal transactions involving e-cards from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- When
- Online ticket booking windows open daily at 8 am.
- Why
- To profit from the high demand for train tickets by reselling them at inflated prices, especially during peak seasons.
Railways
Ticket Touts and Developers
Security Measures
Railways
The Railways implements security measures like OTP verification and Captcha codes to prevent automated bot usage and ensure fair ticket booking.
Ticket Touts and Developers
Unauthorized software developers create sophisticated programs that bypass these security measures, allowing for rapid, automated ticket bookings.
ID Verification
Railways
The Railways are making Aadhaar verification compulsory for booking IDs to curb misuse and improve security.
Ticket Touts and Developers
The demand for Aadhaar-verified IDs has increased significantly in the black market due to their requirement for booking tickets, driving up prices.
Key facts
- Software Names
- Brahmos, Tesla, Avengers, Dr Doom, SpaceX, ANMS MAC, Nexus
- Monthly Subscription Cost (Super Sellers)
- Rs 1,500 - Rs 2,500
- Cost per PNR (Brahmos)
- Rs 99
- Profit Example (Sleeper PNR)
- Rs 800 ticket sold for Rs 2,000
- Profit Example (Third AC)
- Rs 2,300 ticket sold for Rs 4,000
- Cost of Misused ID
- Rs 500 (previously Rs 30)
- RPF Cases (This Year)
- 10
- RPF Cases (Last Year)
- 25-30
Quotes
Another official
An unnamed official privy to the details of the scam
“The software is coded in such a manner that they manage parallel activities simultaneously as against the linear and longer progress that is followed by a normal person booking tickets online.”
indianexpress.com
“While super sellers sell these software systems for Rs 1,500-Rs 2,500 per month without any limit on tickets, Brahmos, which is advanced, charges Rs 99 per PNR.”
indianexpress.com
The official
An unnamed official commenting on the ongoing nature of the problem
“It is a cat and mouse game where fraudsters keep trying to find ways to circumvent measures taken by the government.”
indianexpress.com
“Those who may not have a technical background just hire freelancers, instructing them on the kind of software they want.”
indianexpress.com
Rishi Shukla
Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, Mumbai
“The RPF is constantly on the alert for such ticketing scams and we have made several arrests in connection with such cases.”
indianexpress.com
Ghulam Mustafa
Self-taught software developer arrested in January 2020
“ANMS MAC”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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