Shopkeeper Loses 3 Lakh in Online Traffic Challan Fraud A 57-year-old shopkeeper from Tilak Road in Pune reported a significant financial loss after falling victim to an online fraud scheme involving a fake traffic challan. The incident occurred in December 2025 when the victim received a text message titled “RTO Challan” on his mobile phone. The message contained a link, which the shopkeeper clicked believing it to be a legitimate portal for paying a traffic fine. Upon opening the link, the victim was directed to an online form where he was prompted to enter his banking details. Inspector Arun Ghodke of the Vishrambaug police explained that the link was part of a scam designed to install remote access software on the victim’s phone. After clicking “Allow” on the software prompt, the fraudsters gained control of his device. This allowed them to access his banking credentials and siphon off Rs 2.76 lakh from his account. Ghodke further stated that the perpetrators used the stolen PIN numbers to manipulate the victim’s phone, including deleting messages related to the money transfers. The police confirmed that the victim had initially submitted a complaint to the Pune cybercrime police station, leading to the registration of a formal FIR on Saturday. The case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercrime tactics, particularly those exploiting public trust in official communication channels. Authorities are urging citizens to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited links or messages, especially those purporting to be from government agencies. The incident also underscores the need for greater awareness about phishing scams and the importance of verifying the authenticity of digital communications before taking any action.#pune #tilak_road #vishrambaug_police #arun_ghodke #pune_cybercrime_police_station
