Panchkula Police Issue Urgent Warning on Fake E-Challan Scams
Panchkula police have released a critical cyber safety advisory for local residents. They are alerting citizens about a dangerous new scam involving fake e-challan messages. Cyber criminals are actively sending these fraudulent communications through SMS and WhatsApp platforms.
Sharp Rise in Fraudulent Messages Reported
Police officials confirm a significant increase in reported cases recently. Scammers are targeting vehicle owners with messages that claim a traffic violation challan has been issued against them. These messages create urgency by demanding immediate payment to avoid penalties.
The advisory clearly states these messages contain malicious links. These links often mimic the appearance of legitimate government websites. Unsuspecting citizens who click these links and enter their banking or personal information face immediate financial loss. Cyber fraudsters can drain bank accounts within moments.
How to Identify Fake E-Challan Messages
Panchkula police provided clear guidelines to distinguish real messages from fake ones. Authentic e-challan notifications never come from personal mobile numbers. Legitimate messages are sent exclusively through authorized government SMS gateways or official servers like VAHAN.
Fake messages often include suspicious website extensions in their links. Police specifically mentioned domains containing terms like echallancc, echallanvip, or echallanlink. These are definite red flags indicating fraudulent activity.
Official Verification Method
The police emphasized there is only one official website for checking or paying e-challans. Citizens must use https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in for any challan-related verification or payment. No other website should be trusted for this purpose.
Police Statement and Public Advisory
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime & Traffic) Manpreet Singh Sudan addressed the situation directly. He stated, "Cyber criminals are exploiting people's lack of awareness by sending these fake e-challan messages. We urge citizens to exercise extreme caution."
DCP Sudan continued, "People should avoid clicking on any unknown links received via message. They must verify challan details exclusively on the official government website. Immediate reporting of suspicious messages to police or the cyber crime helpline is crucial."
Essential Safety Measures for Citizens
The Panchkula police advisory includes these vital protective steps:
- Do not click on any unverified or suspicious links received through messages.
- Never share personal information, banking details, or card information with unknown parties.
- Verify e-challan information only through the official government website mentioned above.
- Inform family members and friends about this scam to spread awareness within the community.
- Report suspicious messages immediately to local police stations or contact the cyber crime helpline.
The police department is actively monitoring the situation. They encourage citizens to remain vigilant and follow these guidelines strictly to protect themselves from financial fraud.
