Traffic challan SMS scam: Khairatabad DCP Shilpavalli shares personal experience, safety guidelines

Hyderabad: Highlighting the alarming rise in cyber fraud, Khairatabad Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police K Shilpavalli, IPS, on Tuesday disclosed that she recently received fake traffic challan SMS messages.

She spoke about her personal experience to caution the public against clicking suspicious links and to stress the need for immediate reporting to prevent financial scams.

Fake messages mimicked official traffic challans

The DCP said the fraudulent SMS messages were received within a short span of three days.

Each message claimed that a traffic challan had been issued and included links that closely resembled official government websites, complete with ‘https’ secure-looking URLs, making them appear authentic at first glance.

Officer avoids interacting with link, reports immediately

Recognising the attempt as a scam, the senior police officer refrained from clicking on the links. Instead, she immediately reported the messages on the Central Government’s Sanchar Saathi (SFC) portal using the Chakshu reporting facility.

She later shared the details on social media to alert citizens and encourage vigilance.

Genuine links end with ‘.gov.in’

Cautioning citizens, the DCP reminded that genuine government traffic challan websites always end with ‘.gov.in’. Any message directing users to links outside this domain should be treated as suspicious and avoided.

Why instant arrests are difficult in cyber frauds?

Explaining the technical challenge, she said cybercriminals often use spoofed or gateway-routed numbers, meaning the visible sender number is not the real source. Due to this, identifying and arresting offenders immediately becomes difficult.

Collective reporting helps block scammers

The DCP emphasised that when citizens report such messages on the Chakshu portal, authorities can trace patterns and block suspicious numbers, domains, gateways and mule SIM cards through the Department of Telecommunications, thereby preventing further misuse.

Awareness and prompt reporting key

Urging people to stay alert, the DCP said increased public awareness and quick reporting are the most effective tools to curb cybercrime.

She appealed to citizens to report every suspicious message without hesitation, noting that timely action can prevent financial loss and protect others from falling victim to scams.

CP warns citizens as fake traffic challan scams surge in Hyderabad

Expressing serious concern over the rising number of cyber fraud cases, Hyderabad Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar, IPS, has warned that despite repeated advisories, many citizens in the city are continuing to fall prey to fake traffic challan scams.

Sharp increase in fake challan fraud cases

The Commissioner said police are witnessing a sharp rise in cases where fraudsters are targeting unsuspecting citizens through deceptive SMS messages claiming that traffic challans have been issued against their vehicles.

“These cases are increasing at an alarming rate,” he said, urging people to remain extremely cautious.

How the fake traffic challan scam works

1. According to the police, cybercriminals are sending phishing links through SMS messages.

2. Once the recipient clicks on the link, it redirects them to fake websites that closely resemble official government traffic challan portals.

3. Believing the sites to be genuine, victims enter personal and banking details, following which their bank accounts are drained within minutes.

Public advisory: Key safety guidelines

Issuing a clear warning, the Commissioner advised citizens to follow basic digital safety practices to avoid falling victim to such scams:

- Genuine government websites always end with ‘.gov.in’ or ‘.org’.

- Never make payments through links received via SMS.

- Verify traffic challan details only through the official e-Challan website.

Vigilance is the only protection

The Hyderabad Police Commissioner stressed that public awareness and caution are crucial to preventing cyber fraud.

He urged citizens to double-check information, avoid clicking unknown links and report suspicious messages immediately to the authorities.

“Staying alert is the best defence against cybercrime,” he said, reiterating the need for responsible digital behaviour.