A Delhi man lost over Rs 4 lakh after clicking a fake traffic challan link on WhatsApp. Cyber fraudsters used ‘official’ messages to access his cards and buy e-gift vouchers
The message included a link asking the user to check and pay the invoice. Without suspecting fraud, the victim clicked the link and downloaded an app. After installation, no challan details appeared, but the financial damage had already begun.At around 2:59 pm, the victim received an email alert stating that his Amazon e-wallet password had been changed. Soon after, his email ID was altered, followed by multiple SMS alerts of credit card transactions from different banks within minutes.Police said the scammers used saved credit card details to purchase e-gift cards from online platforms. These gift cards were delivered directly to the fraudsters’ email accounts, making recovery nearly impossible. The total loss was estimated at Rs 4.05 lakh.Officials warn that this is not an isolated incident. Many people have recently fallen victim to fake traffic challan messages sent via WhatsApp and SMS. Since some genuine government notifications do arrive digitally, scammers exploit this trust to deceive users.Stay Safe: Police advise citizens to verify any traffic challan only through the official Parivahan website. Avoid clicking unknown links, QR codes or urgent payment messages. If a message creates panic or pressure, pause and verify before taking action.
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WhatsApp Scam: Online fraud cases are rising rapidly, with many people losing their hard-earned savings. In Delhi, a man lost nearly Rs 4 lakh after clicking on a fake traffic challan link sent on WhatsApp. The incident shows how cybercriminals use official-sounding language and trusted government names to trick unsuspecting users.
