Daijiworld Media Network – Margao

Margao, Jul 21: Even as authorities introduce an AI-based traffic challan system, cyber fraudsters are exploiting public awareness by sending fake traffic challan messages to cheat unsuspecting citizens.

A resident of Balli lost Rs 6.80 lakh after fraudsters allegedly tricked him into installing a malicious APK file on his mobile phone under the pretext of paying a traffic challan.

According to a complaint lodged with Cuncolim Police, Alkesh Naik received a WhatsApp call from an unknown person on July 13. The caller allegedly claimed that Naik had to pay a Rs 1,000 traffic challan for a traffic violation and persuaded him to download and install an APK file sent via WhatsApp.

Believing the message to be genuine, Naik installed the file. Soon afterwards, Rs 6,80,152.73 was allegedly withdrawn from his bank account through multiple unauthorised transactions.

Cuncolim Police have registered an FIR under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and launched an investigation.

In a separate incident, Kalpesh Fal Dessai, a resident of Fatorpa, was allegedly cheated of Rs 1,02,482.22 in an online fraud.

According to his complaint, an unidentified person contacted him through WhatsApp on April 22 and allegedly convinced him to grant remote access to his mobile phone during the call. The fraudster reportedly gained control of the device, following which multiple unauthorised transactions were carried out using the complainant's SBI credit card.

Police have registered a separate case and are investigating the incident.

Issuing a fresh advisory, police urged the public not to download APK files received through WhatsApp or other messaging platforms, avoid granting remote access to their mobile phones to unknown callers, and verify traffic challans only through official government portals or authorised applications.