Residents targeted by fake RTO challan scam

The vehicle fine challan scam has once again rocked Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with fake e-challans being sent to residents’ mobile phones claiming traffic rule violations and duping victims of large sums of money.

- Varad Bhatkhande

Typically, when traffic rules are violated by signal jumping or overspeeding, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) issues fines using vehicle registration numbers. These registration numbers are captured through CCTV cameras. However, cyber thieves are now misusing this process by sending fraudulent messages claiming an unpaid fine. When recipients open the file or link attached to these messages, their phones are hacked, and money is siphoned off from their accounts.

Recently, similar cases have been reported in Pune city, where a man was duped of %5 lakh, while in another case in Pimpri-Chinchwad, a man lost %2.25 lakh to the same scam.