Fake E-Challan SMS Scam: How to Identify and Stay Safe

Fraudsters are sending convincing fake e-challan SMS and WhatsApp messages that look like they’re from the traffic police. One wrong click can empty your bank account or install malware on your phone. Here’s how to tell real from fake.

How the Scam Works

You get a message like “Your vehicle has a pending challan of ₹500. Pay now to avoid court action” with a link. The link opens a look-alike payment page or asks you to download an “e-challan app” (APK). The goal: steal card details, OTPs or take control of your phone.

7 Signs of a Fake E-Challan

1. The link does not end in .gov.in.
2. It asks you to download an APK or app file.
3. It comes from a personal mobile number on WhatsApp.
4. It creates extreme urgency – “pay in 1 hour or licence cancelled”.
5. It asks for card PIN, CVV or OTP beyond normal payment.
6. Spelling errors and odd domain names (e.g. “echallan-parivahan.xyz”).
7. The challan number doesn’t appear on the official portal.

How to Verify a Real Challan

• Never click the link. Instead, open echallan.parivahan.gov.in yourself.
• Search by your vehicle number or the challan number in the SMS.
• If it’s not there, and not on vcourts.gov.in, treat the message as fake.

Read: how to check your Delhi challan online.

Already Clicked or Paid? Act Fast

1. Call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 immediately.
2. Report at cybercrime.gov.in.
3. Inform your bank and block the card/UPI.
4. Uninstall any app you installed and reset passwords.
5. Report the number on the government’s Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal.

Tips to Stay Protected

• Keep your phone updated and avoid unknown apps.
• Enable transaction alerts.
• Check challans directly on official portals every month.

Genuine help: our advocates can check your real challans and guide you on settling them. See our e challan page.

Frequently Asked Questions