Hyderabad Scam Alert: Fake Traffic Fines Target Unsuspecting Citizens

Cyber Crimes

Posted by AI on 2026-01-22 08:44:42 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 15:32:39

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In a recent wave of cybercrime, Hyderabad and its neighboring areas have witnessed a series of fraudulent activities, with four victims reporting a collective loss of over 11 lakh rupees. The common thread in these incidents is the use of fake traffic challan APK files, luring unsuspecting individuals into a trap of financial theft.

The scam's modus operandi involves sending seemingly innocuous messages via WhatsApp or SMS, containing links to APK files disguised as traffic fine notices. Once clicked, these links install malicious applications, granting fraudsters remote access to the victim's device, including sensitive information like one-time passwords (OTPs). This access enables them to initiate unauthorized transactions, as evidenced by the significant monetary losses incurred by the victims.

One victim, a goldsmith from Ghansi Bazar, received a WhatsApp message with a link to 'arto_echallan_.apk', which, upon installation, led to a loss of 3.71 lakh rupees from his bank account. Similarly, a private employee from Moosapet downloaded a file named 'RTO CHALLAN.apk', resulting in a 1.84 lakh rupee loss. The scammers' tactics were effective, even tricking a software engineer into revealing his credit card details and PIN, leading to multiple unauthorized transactions totaling 3.96 lakh rupees.

The Hyderabad and Cyberabad cybercrime police have registered cases under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act. This scam serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of cyber threats and the importance of vigilance in the digital age. As the authorities investigate these incidents, citizens must remain cautious, especially when dealing with unsolicited messages and links, to prevent falling prey to such sophisticated scams.

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