Fake E-Challan Scam: Beware of Cyber Thugs Issuing Fraudulent Traffic Fines
Recently, there has been an increase in cyber fraud cases related to e-challans. In a recent incident in Mumbai’s Pedder Road area, a businessman fell victim to an e-challan scam. He received a message asking him to pay the e-challan for his vehicle. The message also included his vehicle’s registration number and instructed him to install an app called ‘vahanparivahn.apk’ to pay the fine.
The young man followed all the instructions provided in the message, but he was unable to make the payment through the app. After a week, he found out that transactions totaling 3 lakh rupees had been made from his credit card in 31 different transactions. In reality, the app he had installed was fake, and cyber fraudsters had used it to send him a fake e-challan.
So, what is e-challan fraud and how can one protect themselves from it?
E-challan fraud involves cybercriminals sending fake messages or emails to individuals, claiming that they have outstanding traffic fines that need to be paid. They often provide a link to a fake website or app where victims are asked to enter their personal or financial information, which is then used by the fraudsters for unauthorized transactions.
To protect yourself from e-challan fraud:
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages or emails claiming you have pending e-challans.
- Verify the authenticity of the message by checking the sender’s details and the website or app they are directing you to.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading apps from unknown sources.
- If in doubt, directly visit the official website of the traffic police department or contact them via official channels to verify the e-challan.
- Never share your personal or financial information with unknown sources or unverified websites or apps.
By staying vigilant and following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to e-challan fraud.
Question: What is e-challan fraud?
Answer: E-challan fraud is a type of online scam where cybercriminals target vehicle owners. In this scam, cyber thugs send fake e-challan messages, claiming that you have violated traffic rules and need to pay a fine. Therefore, you are urged to pay the penalty. The message contains a link to a website for paying the fine.
When someone clicks on this link, a fake website opens. Then, the individual’s personal and financial information is compromised. In this way, anyone can become a victim of this fraud.
Question: How can e-challan fraud be avoided?
Answer: To avoid e-challan fraud, the Cyber Police advises vehicle owners not to rush into making payments. Vehicle owners should first verify the authenticity of the e-challan through the official site. They should check the official site and verify their vehicle number and driving license number.
Do not click on any unknown messages
Cybercriminals often send fake e-challan messages via SMS, WhatsApp, or email. If you receive any message claiming that you have violated traffic rules and need to pay a fine, do not click on any links provided in such messages.
Please confirm the message
To verify whether the e-challan message is genuine, you can visit the traffic police website. Furthermore, you can directly contact the traffic police department to confirm the message.
Do not pay fines on fake websites
If you click on the link of a fake e-challan message and it takes you to a website where you can pay the fine, be cautious. Avoid sharing any personal or financial information on such websites. Immediately close such websites and contact your local traffic police.
Do not fall for intimidation
Cyber fraudsters often threaten with legal action or fines. Sometimes they even offer discounts or incentives for immediate payment. If you receive any such demands for immediate payment, stay cautious. Government fines do not come with discounts or offers.
Question: How can we identify genuine e-challan links?
Answer: There is a difference between genuine and fake e-challan links. Delhi Police has mentioned in their X (Twitter) post that genuine e-challan messages include details such as the engine number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and other information about your vehicle.
Question: Before paying an e-challan, keep these points in mind.
.gov.in Links are Authentic Links ending with .gov.in will always be associated with the official e-challan portal. The official link for paying the e-challan message is https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/.
Be cautious when there’s no .gov.in at the end of the link. Fake e-challan messages may contain links like https://echallan.parivahan.in/, which should never be clicked. Clicking on such links can make you vulnerable to cyber fraud.
Grammar Errors Scam messages often contain numerous grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Always be mindful of proper language usage in official communications. There is minimal room for any type of errors.
Attention to Official Websites Remain vigilant of payment links redirecting towards unofficial or unauthorized websites. Always verify the authenticity of the website.
Question: What should you do if you fall victim to an e-challan scam?
Answer: If someone inadvertently clicks on a fake message link and falls victim to an e-challan scam, they should immediately report the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Taking this action can help prevent further transactions and safeguard your hard-earned finances.
Moreover, you can also consider temporarily freezing your bank account. You can visit the nearest cyber police station to lodge a complaint regarding the incident.
Question: What precautions should be taken during e-challan recruitment?
Answer: Always pay your traffic fines through the official website https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/. Avoid downloading any unwanted links or third-party apps. Never share sensitive information such as PAN card, Aadhaar card, debit/credit card details, bank account information, OTP, CVV, or any other personal or financial details with anyone at any time.
