Fake e-Challan Scam
Got an SMS saying your vehicle has a pending traffic challan? Stop before you click that link. A new wave of fake e-challan scams is targeting car and bike owners across India. Fraudsters are sending messages that look exactly like real traffic violation notices — but they are not from the government. If you click the link, you could lose your bank balance, your card details, and even access to your phone. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the Fake e-Challan Scam?
Scammers are sending SMS messages that closely mimic official traffic challan alerts. These messages are designed to trick vehicle owners into clicking fraudulent links and sharing sensitive information. A typical fake message looks like this:
“A Traffic Challan #BH5065678749 of ₹3,000 has been issued against your vehicle on 08-12-2025. To view and pay, visit: https://echallan.live/app”"
It looks real. It has a challan number, an amount, and a date. But it is completely fake. The fraudulent website is designed to look nearly identical to the legitimate government e-Challan portal. It displays the Ashoka emblem and claims to be an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.