look news india
News India Live, Digital Desk: Nowadays we are dependent on technology and internet for our small and big needs, which has made our lives easier, but the risk of online fraud has also increased manifold. Cyber fraudsters are devising new ways to trap people every day. In this context, a new and very dangerous scam has come to light, in which people’s bank accounts are being emptied using the name of the government app ‘mParivahan’.
This scam is being carried out in such a vicious manner that anyone can easily become its victim.
How does this ‘traffic challan’ scam work?
- Message comes on WhatsApp: First of all, a message comes on your WhatsApp from an unknown number, which looks exactly like a real traffic challan. It may also have the logo of mParivahan, which will make you think that it has come from a government department.
- A scary message is written: It is written in this message that a challan has been issued to your vehicle for breaking traffic rules. To scare you, huge amounts are also mentioned.
- A link is given: At the end of the message you are given a link and asked to click on it to view the details of the challan or to fill it online. Often it is also threatened that if payment is not made immediately, the fine will increase further.
This is where the real game begins
As soon as someone gets nervous and clicks on that link, he gets trapped in the trap of these fraudsters.
- This link either takes you to a fake website, which looks exactly like the real mParivahan website. As soon as you enter your bank details, credit/debit card number or UPI PIN to pay the challan, this information immediately goes to the scammers and they drain your account.
- Many times, as soon as you click on a link, a malware or virus gets installed on your phone, which silently steals your personal information from your phone, like password, contact list and banking OTP.
How to avoid this fraud?
Safety lies in caution. You can avoid this big danger by keeping some small things in mind:
- Don’t trust WhatsApp messages: Remember, traffic police or transport department never sends you challan notice on WhatsApp. The official message of the challan always comes through SMS on the registered mobile number and is sent from a government ID like VAHAN and not from any unknown personal number.
- Do not click on any unknown link: No matter how genuine the message seems, never click on any link given in it.
- Check yourself: If you have any doubt, directly contact the official ‘mParivahan’ by opening the app or echallan.parivahan.gov.in Go to the website and enter your vehicle number to check for yourself whether there is a challan or not.
- Pay attention to spelling and grammar: Messages sent by scammers often contain spelling or grammar errors.
- Block and Report: If any such message comes, immediately block that number and report it for fraud on WhatsApp.
A little carelessness on your part can cost you your hard-earned money. Therefore, always be alert and aware in the online world.
