Fake traffic challan scams rise in Hyderabad, police warn citizens
HYDERABAD: A sharp rise in fake traffic challan scams has been reported in Hyderabad, with fraudsters targeting citizens through phishing links sent via SMS, police and cybercrime officials have warned.
According to officials, the messages contain links that redirect users to fake websites designed to closely resemble official government e-Challan portals. Believing the sites to be genuine, victims enter personal and banking details, leading to their bank accounts being emptied within minutes.
Authorities said several complaints have been received in recent weeks, indicating that the scam is spreading rapidly across the city. Cybercrime officials said fraudsters are exploiting public awareness gaps and the increasing use of online payment systems for traffic violations.
It is concerning that despite repeated alerts, many citizens in Hyderabad are falling prey to Fake Traffic Challan scams. We are observing a sharp rise in these cases recently.
Fraudsters are sending phishing links via SMS. Once clicked, these redirect to fake websites that look… pic.twitter.com/bld1xXo6IM
— V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC) January 20, 2026
The fraudulent SMS typically claims that a traffic challan is pending and urges immediate payment to avoid penalties. Once the link is clicked, users are taken to a cloned website that mirrors the design and layout of official portals.
Officials said any payment or information entered on such sites is instantly captured by scammers, who then carry out unauthorised transactions.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious and follow basic verification steps. Official government websites end only with “.gov.in” or “.org”, they said, adding that traffic challans should never be paid through links received via SMS.
Citizens have been advised to verify challan details only on the official e-Challan website and to report suspicious messages to cybercrime authorities immediately.
