Srinagar: Concerns are growing over the circulation of fake e-Challan and penalty-related messages carrying suspicious links and files, with cyber fraudsters allegedly attempting to trap unsuspecting mobile users into financial scams and data theft.
Several users have reported receiving SMS alerts claiming unpaid traffic penalties or challans, often accompanied by clickable links or downloadable files urging immediate payment or verification.
Cyber awareness experts have cautioned the public against opening such links, warning that these messages may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to steal banking credentials, OTPs, personal information or install malicious software on mobile phones.
The messages often create urgency by warning of penalties, legal action or account suspension if payment is not made immediately, a tactic commonly used in online fraud schemes.
Officials and cyber safety advocates have advised citizens to verify any traffic challan or penalty only through official government portals and authorized applications. People have also been urged not to share OTPs, ATM details, passwords or banking credentials with unknown callers or websites.
Officials said fraudsters frequently imitate official language and formatting to make messages appear genuine, increasing the possibility of users falling victim to scams.
Citizens have been advised to immediately delete suspicious messages, avoid downloading unknown attachments and report fraudulent communication to cybercrime authorities if they encounter such attempts.
The growing use of digital payments and mobile banking has led to a rise in phishing and impersonation scams across the country, with fake e-Challan messages emerging as one of the latest methods being used to target users. (KNT)
