A new wave of cyber frauds is sweeping Tamil Nadu, with police warning of schemes that mimic government notices and impersonate cybercrime officials. At the center of this surge are two methods: the “Parivahan e-challan” scam and a so-called cyber helpdesk scam.
The Rise of Fake Traffic Challans
The Cyber Crime Wing of the Tamil Nadu police has issued a public warning about a sudden increase in fraudulent online schemes designed to exploit unsuspecting citizens. At the top of their alert is the Parivahan e-challan scam, a ploy in which victims receive text messages that appear to come from traffic authorities. These messages accuse recipients of traffic violations and include links directing them to pay supposed fines.
According to a press release, the goal of the scam is to trick users into downloading a malicious application under the guise of paying fines. The messages bear the hallmarks of official correspondence, which increases their likelihood of deceiving recipients into compliance.
Malicious Apps and Stolen Data
Once installed, the fraudulent application immediately requests extensive permissions on the victim’s phone. These permissions extend to SMS records, contacts, and even banking information, according to police.
Investigators noted that the malicious software can intercept one-time passwords by leveraging SMS access or screen overlays, effectively enabling criminals to carry out unauthorized financial transactions. Victims often realize what has happened only after funds have already been siphoned from their bank accounts.
Impersonating Cybercrime Helpdesks
The second prominent scam highlighted by the Tamil Nadu police involves callers posing as officials from cybercrime helplines. In these cases, victims are contacted through WhatsApp, phone calls, Telegram messages, or even fraudulent emails.
The impersonators claim to represent cybercrime authorities, promising assistance in filing complaints or recovering stolen funds. In reality, the calls become the gateway to a second round of fraud: victims are pressured into making further payments under false pretenses.
Police Advisory and Public Warnings
Faced with the growing frequency of such incidents, Tamil Nadu police have issued advisories urging the public to verify traffic challans only on official government websites or through verified applications. They cautioned that traffic authorities do not send challan notices or violation alerts through WhatsApp.
The warning underscores a broader concern among law enforcement: that cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging trusted platforms and official-looking messages to blur the line between legitimate communication and fraudulent schemes.