Mangaluru City Police have cautioned motorists against fraudulent traffic fine notifications after eight cases involving fake e-challan payment links resulted in losses of Rs 44 lakh this year.
The cybercriminals are reportedly targeting vehicle owners through SMS and WhatsApp messages that falsely claim outstanding traffic violations. These messages contain suspicious links or APK files designed to deceive recipients into making payments or exposing sensitive financial information.
Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said police registered eight such complaints at different police stations across Mangaluru City in 2026, with combined financial loss estimated at Rs 44 lakh.
To prevent further incidents, the police have advised motorists to check pending challans exclusively through the government’s official e-challan portal, https://echallan.parivahan.nic.in. Make payments only through authorised platforms.
For notices received by post, citizens can use the official Mangalore One or Karnataka One websites and mobile applications. They can also visit the nearest traffic police station to verify the outstanding amount and complete the payment.
The police have warned against opening unfamiliar links, installing APK files received from unknown sources or sharing banking credentials, card details and one-time passwords (OTPs) on suspicious websites.
Officials have also highlighted that the presence of ‘https://’ in a website address does not necessarily establish its authenticity, as fraudulent platforms can imitate legitimate government portals.
Residents who receive questionable payment notifications can verify them by contacting or visiting their nearest traffic police station. For assistance, Mangaluru City Police have provided the helpline number 0824-2220823.
The advisory urges motorists to verify every traffic fine independently rather than relying on payment links received through unsolicited messages.
