Cyber frauds target motorists with fake e-challan messages in Hyderabad

Motorists are being targeted by cyber fraudsters sending fake e-challan messages via SMS and WhatsApp. Citizens are losing lakhs in unauthorised transactions. Police advise checking and paying fines only through official portals and reporting suspicious activity to helpline 1930.

Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting motorists by sending fake e-challan messages that mimic official traffic police notifications, leading to significant financial losses.

In recent incidents reported to cybercrime authorities, victims received SMS or WhatsApp messages claiming that traffic violation fines were pending against their vehicles.

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“These messages often carry links that closely resemble official government or police e-challan portals, making them appear authentic at first glance,” said a cybercrime official.

Once a user clicks on the link, they are redirected to a fake website designed to collect card details, OTPs or personal information.

In several cases, fraudsters have gone on to carry out unauthorised domestic and international transactions, resulting in losses running into lakhs of rupees.

Recently, a citizen received an SMS claiming a pending traffic violation and directing him to pay a fine of Rs 500 through a link that closely resembled the official e-challan portal. Believing the message to be genuine, the victim clicked the link and attempted payment. Moments later, fraudsters carried out unauthorised international transactions amounting to nearly Rs 6 lakh from his credit card.

Cybercrime officials said scammers typically use fear tactics, such as warnings of additional penalties, legal action or licence suspension, to pressure victims into making quick payments without verification. Shortened URLs, unknown sender IDs and urgent language are common features of such fraudulent messages.

Police have advised citizens to never click on payment links received via messages and to verify challan details only by visiting the official Parivahan e-Challan portal or the respective State Traffic Police websites directly.

City Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar said cybercriminals were using highly convincing fake websites that mimic official police and government portals to trap unsuspecting citizens. He warned people never to pay traffic fines through links received via SMS or WhatsApp.

The Commissioner advised citizens to always visit the official Parivahan e-Challan website or the respective State Traffic Police website directly to check and pay challans.

He also urged the public to watch out for red flags such as messages from unknown numbers, shortened links and urgent threats of penalties or legal action. Any suspected cyber fraud can be reported immediately to the national cybercrime helpline number 1930.