Fake RTO e-challan scam sees major spike, cyber police issue warning

Key Highlights

• Cyber police have warned that scammers are increasingly exploiting public familiarity with digital traffic fines to gain access to smartphones and siphon money from bank accounts.
• In recent days alone, a Pune resident reportedly lost ₹5 lakh.(HT photo) According to officials, fraudsters are circulating messages that closely resemble official traffic violation notices.
• These alerts typically claim that an unpaid challan has been issued for offences such as overspeeding or signal jumping.
• To add urgency, the messages include a link or an attached file, urging recipients to act quickly to avoid penalties or legal trouble.
• Police say the moment a user clicks the link or downloads the attachment, malware is installed on the phone.