Hyderabad: 24 December Posted on 2:54 PM IST
The Hyderabad City Cyber Crime Police have issued a public alert warning citizens about a rising cyber fraud involving fake e-Challan payment links circulated through SMS and WhatsApp messages.
According to V. Aravind Babu Deputy Commissioner of Police Cyber Crimes Unit, unknown cyber fraudsters are sending deceptive messages claiming that vehicle traffic challans are pending and urging recipients to make immediate payments through links provided in the messages. These links closely resemble official government websites, making it difficult for users to identify them as fraudulent.
Officials stated that once users click on these fake links, they are asked to enter their vehicle registration number. A challan amount is then displayed to make the scam appear genuine. However, when victims proceed with payment, malicious software may be installed on their mobile phones, or their banking credentials may be compromised, leading to unauthorized transactions.
The Cyber Crime Police emphasized that government departments do not send payment links via WhatsApp or personal messages. Citizens are advised to make traffic challan payments only through official government portals and applications.
The advisory further warns the public not to click on suspicious links received through SMS, WhatsApp, or social media, and never to share OTPs, UPI PINs, debit or credit card details, or personal information on unverified websites. Users are also encouraged to install apps only from official app stores and keep their mobile devices updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
In case of cyber fraud, victims are advised to immediately disconnect mobile data or Wi-Fi, contact their bank to block transactions or cards, and dial the national cyber fraud helpline number 1930. Complaints can also be lodged at www.cybercrime.gov.in
or at the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
