Kolkata Police Issues Urgent Warning on Fake Traffic Challan Messages
Kolkata Police has issued a critical public advisory, urging all citizens to thoroughly verify the genuineness of any traffic challan message they receive before proceeding with payment. This warning comes in response to a sophisticated cybercrime operation where fraudsters are sending deceptive SMS messages containing fake links that closely mimic legitimate payment gateways.
Haryana Businessman Arrested in Multi-Lakh Fraud Case
The detective department's cybercrime branch has made a significant arrest in connection with this scam. Deepak Kumar (29), a businessman based in Haryana, has been taken into custody for his alleged involvement in six separate cases. According to police reports, Kumar duped multiple individuals from Kolkata, resulting in total losses exceeding Rs 5.43 lakh.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime & Traffic) Rupesh Kumar revealed that among the victims was one person who suffered a substantial loss of Rs 60,000. The arrest followed a case registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station on September 12, 2025, with police acting on detailed technical evidence and victim complaints.
Sophisticated Phishing Operation Uncovered
Investigators detailed how the accused executed the fraud. Kumar allegedly sent phishing SMS messages containing fraudulent links that appeared to be legitimate e-challans corresponding to victims' vehicle registration numbers. Once recipients clicked on these deceptive links, money was unauthorizedly deducted from their bank accounts without their consent.
Despite his arrest, Deepak Kumar has maintained his innocence, claiming he was "set up" in the matter. Police noted that Kumar had responded to all four notices served to him and voluntarily traveled to Kolkata to honor these notices before his arrest was made.
Technical Investigation Reveals Digital Trail
The investigation uncovered a complex digital infrastructure behind the scam. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reported that a fraudulent "mParivahan" APK file was hosted on a server linked to two IP addresses associated with an IntechDC support team.
Further technical analysis revealed:
- The server was registered using a Gmail account
- Google's investigation showed the email was accessed through an IP address belonging to SBL Telecom in Gurugram
- This IP address was subsequently mapped to another IP registered in the name of Deepak Kumar
During the investigation, police seized certified copies of account opening forms, KYC documents, and subscriber records that helped establish the digital trail connecting Kumar to the fraudulent activities.
Police Advice for Citizens
Kolkata Police emphasizes that citizens should:
- Always verify the authenticity of any payment link received via SMS
- Cross-check challan details through official government portals
- Never share personal or financial information through unsolicited messages
- Report suspicious messages immediately to cybercrime authorities
This case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting digital payment systems and the importance of vigilance when dealing with financial transactions initiated through electronic communications.
