Paying vehicle fines online a safe way to do it? Know how to differentiate real and fake e-challan and escape new fraud

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cyber fraud in the name of the Motor Vehicles Department's M-Parivahan app is widespread. The police, Motor Vehicles Department and Cyber ​​Section have informed the public to be vigilant after many people lost money. Most people lost money in the Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Up to Rs 1.5 lakh was recently lost in the capital.

The message is sent via WhatsApp, citing vehicle violations. The message is in the guise of a violation detected through the AI ​​camera or the police's speed camera; no-parking fine, e-challan in direct vehicle inspection, etc. When the vehicle owner opens the message, they will be asked to download the APK file to pay the fine. If the vehicle owner downloads this, they will lose money if they have a bank account linked to that number.

Fines not notified via WhatsApp

• The police or the Motor Vehicles Department do not send challans through WhatsApp. The challan number in the fraudulent message is 14 digits. The real challan has 19 digits.
• Parivahan does not have an APK file. The Parivahan app can be installed only through the Play Store and App Store
• Accept e-challan information only from the official website. If you receive a message to pay a fine, make sure it is from the official website.
• Do not give in to such a message asking you to provide your account details, password, or credit card details.
• If you are a victim of financial fraud, you should register a complaint on 1930 within one hour.