Thiruvalla:Thiruvalla: Online fraudsters posing as the Traffic Police and the Motor Vehicles Department are targeting vehicle owners with fake e challan messages, warning of traffic violations and prompting payments through fraudulent links. The messages, sent to mobile phones along with the vehicle registration number, falsely claim that a traffic rule has been violated and instruct recipients to pay a fine under the heading `e challan parivahan.gov.in. index accused challan.'

However, when vehicle owners click on the link provided in the message, they are asked to pay the fine using an ATM card. Those who proceed further are then prompted to share the secret number on the back of the card. The moment this information is disclosed, the entire amount in the bank account is siphoned off.

Around 10 AM yesterday, Suresh Kumar, who works as insurance agent from Kuttor Thengeli, received a message stating that a fine of Rs. 500 had been imposed for a traffic violation allegedly committed by his motorcycle bearing registration number KL 27 K 5301. Suspecting foul play, he contacted Thiruvalla Traffic Sub Inspector M G Anirudhan over the phone. As directed by the official, Suresh Kumar forwarded the message he had received. After examining it, the SI confirmed that the message was fraudulent.

According to the SI, around 15 people had approached the traffic police station over the past week after receiving similar messages. Describing this as a new tactic adopted by online fraud gangs, he warned the public against opening or responding to such messages.  Besides the police, banking experts have also cautioned that attempting to make online payments through these links could expose additional banking details stored on mobile phones to fraudsters.

How to pay traffic fines safely online
Enforcement RTO Nisha Mani said that fines related to violations under the Motor Vehicles Department should be paid only through the Union government’s official website, echallan.parivahan.gov.in. After logging in, users should click on `Get Challan Details; on the home page or the `Pay Online' option, which blinks in yellow colour. By entering either the challan number or the vehicle registration number and clicking on the green `Get Details' button, all fines registered against the vehicle can be viewed. Payments can then be made securely through the government e treasury by clicking the green `Pay Now' button corresponding to each challan. Paying fines through any other means could result in falling victim to fraud, the official has warned.