Mangaluru: Police caution public against fake traffic fine payment apps

Mangaluru: Police caution public against fake traffic fine payment apps

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 20, 2025: The Mangaluru City Police Commissioner has warned vehicle owners against falling prey to fake mobile applications and links claiming to facilitate traffic fine payments. Clarifying the official procedure, police said traffic violation fines can be paid only through the Parivahan website, Karnataka One centres or at police stations, and that neither the police nor the government has launched any mobile app for e-challan payments.

Cyber Fraudsters on the Prowl

With the introduction of a discounted fine payment scheme, cyber fraudsters have become increasingly active. Police said scammers are circulating fake links and APK files, falsely claiming that traffic fines can be paid by installing them. Once downloaded, these files hack the user’s mobile phone, giving fraudsters access to personal data, OTPs and banking details, leading to unauthorised financial transactions.

At least two people within Mangaluru city limits have already lost money after downloading such fake applications, police said.

Fraudsters are reportedly sharing fake websites and payment links via SMS, WhatsApp, email and other social media platforms, posing as official e-challan payment portals. Vehicle owners who click on these links risk exposing sensitive personal and banking information.

Police have urged the public to stay alert and report suspicious links to the Mangaluru City Police Control Room WhatsApp number 9480802321 or contact the National Cyber Helpline at 1930.

₹7.28 Lakh Lost in Two Cases

In two separate cases registered at Surathkal and Pandeshwar police stations, fraudsters cheated victims of a total of ₹7.28 lakh by persuading them to download fake APK files in the name of traffic fine payments.

In one incident, a 41-year-old man working in Goa received a WhatsApp message on December 7 from an unknown number, containing an APK file named mpari.apk and claiming to be a traffic notice. The message carried Parivahan branding and instructed him to download the file to pay the challan and view violation photos and videos. After installation, multiple OTPs were automatically forwarded to unknown numbers, and ₹5.85 lakh was fraudulently spent using his credit cards. A case has been registered at Pandeshwar police station.

In the second case, a 54-year-old man received a similar message on December 4 and downloaded an RTO APK file, which he deleted the same day. However, on December 16, ₹99,000 and ₹44,000 were debited from his account. Bank officials later informed him that the amounts had been transferred to UPI IDs belonging to Aravind K. and Shriram. A case has been registered at Surathkal police station.

Police Advisory

Police have advised citizens to avoid clicking on suspicious links received through SMS, WhatsApp or social media, never share OTPs, bank details or passwords, and not trust messages offering discounted fine payments through unofficial channels. They reiterated that no mobile app has been launched for traffic fine payments.

“Traffic fines should be paid only through the Parivahan website, Karnataka One centres or police stations. Clicking on unauthorised links can result in serious financial losses,” said Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy, urging the public to remain vigilant.