Jaipur Resident Duped by Fake Traffic Fine SMS
Amit Chauhan, a resident of Jagatpura in Jaipur, received a worrying SMS on a weekday morning around 9:30 am. The message claimed his vehicle had been caught violating traffic laws via camera on December 21. It included a link and urged him to take immediate action to settle the matter.
How the Scam Unfolded
Chauhan clicked the provided link, which directed him to a webpage. This page asked for either his vehicle's chassis number or registration number. He entered his registration details and pressed the OK button.
Another page then appeared. It displayed his vehicle number, listed the alleged violation as over-speeding, and demanded a fine of Rs 500. Without hesitation, Chauhan made the payment using his debit card.
Only later did he realize something was wrong. December 21 was a Sunday, and he had been at home all day. He also noted that the payment page offered only two options: debit or credit card.
Police Confirm the Fraud
Chauhan visited the DCP traffic office at Yadgarh to report the incident. Officials there confirmed his suspicion: the message was completely fake. He had fallen victim to a scam.
Officials from the Jaipur police cybercrime department stated there has been a recent surge in such cases, not just in Jaipur but across the entire state of Rajasthan.
The Hidden Dangers Beyond the Fine
While the immediate financial loss in these scams typically ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, the real threat is far greater. Police warn that clicking these fraudulent links can install malware on a user's device.
This malware can compromise sensitive debit or credit card information. Fraudsters can then use these details to make unauthorized transactions in the future. There have been instances where users' mobile handsets became compromised due to such malware viruses.
Official Advice to Prevent Fraud
Vijay Kumar Singh, Additional Director General (Law and Order) of Rajasthan Police, spoke about the issue. He acknowledged that while police have taken stern action against such fraudsters before, the crime has resurfaced.
"Awareness is the key to preventing such fraud cases," stated Singh, who has previously served as ADG for both traffic and cybercrime departments.
He offered crucial advice for all motorists and vehicle owners:
- Always check the website link sent with any traffic fine message. Fraudulent links will not contain the "gov" domain.
- All genuine traffic fines in Rajasthan must be verified and paid exclusively through the official e-challan parivahan portal of the Government of India.
In response to the rising threat, various Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Rajasthan, along with the traffic departments of all districts and Commissionerates, have issued public advisories. These aim to make residents aware of this specific type of cybercrime and how to avoid it.
