Beware of traffic challan scam
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It contained mParivahan.apk files to download the (mParivahan) mobile application to view the challan details and pay the fine. Thinking that the message was from the concerned govt department, Sathish Kumar downloaded the file. In no time, he lost Rs1 lakh to cyber fraudsters, who stole all data from his mobile phone and withdrew the amount from his bank account in two transactions. He promptly lodged a complaint with the city cybercrime police.
Like him, 41 other city residents have fallen prey to the similar designs of the cyber fraudsters, who keep changing their strategies to trap people and loot their hard-earned money.
According to the city cybercrime police, traffic challan scam is the latest trend across the country. They suspect it to be the handiwork of a section of cyber fraudsters from the north or northeast parts of India who randomly send traffic challan messages containing mParivahan.apk files through WhatsApp or SMS to drain unsuspecting people's bank accounts.
P A Arun, inspector of police, city cybercrime police station, said the cyber fraudsters were earlier using fake online trading mobile applications to trap people. Many city residents had downloaded those apps and lost several crores of rupees to the cyber scamsters.
"One has to be very cautious. And don't download any .apk files from strangers on your mobile phones, as it will help the cyber fraudsters easily steal all the data and withdraw large amounts from your bank accounts without your knowledge.
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Rackets involved in online financial crimes should be busted across the country," he said.
The cybercrime police said the traffic challan (mParivahan fake app) scam was trending for the past four months. "We have received 42 complaints till date. One of the victims lost Rs2.96 lakh to the cyber fraudsters. We have created a special team to exclusively deal with the scam," said another police officer.
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