States » SouthPosted at: Sep 25 2026 6:39PM


Fake e-challan SMS, malicious APK scam: Kerala Police alerts vehicle owners

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 (UNI) Kerala Police has warned vehicle owners against a new cyber fraud involving fake SMS messages containing genuine-looking e-challan details and malicious links designed to induce victims to download harmful APK files.
The fraudsters send SMS messages from private mobile numbers, making them appear to have been issued through an official government system. The messages contain e-challan details and a link which, when opened, takes the user to a fake website resembling the official Motor Vehicles Department e-challan portal.
The website asks the vehicle owner to enter the registration number. After the number is entered, a dialogue box showing the vehicle registration details appears with a message such as "Internal Security Review".
The victim is then asked to download an application to complete the verification process. Selecting the "Yes" option results in the download of a malicious APK file.
On installation, the APK seeks various permissions from the user. If these permissions are granted, fraudsters may gain control over the mobile phone and access sensitive information stored on the device, including financial and personal data, police warned.
Police advised the public never to install APK files received through SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram or other messaging platforms in the name of e-challan, traffic fines, vehicle verification, KYC, refunds or RTO/MVD services.
E-challan details should be verified only through the official MVD, Parivahan or e-challan websites and authorised government applications or portals. Users should avoid opening links received through SMS and instead access the official website by entering its address directly.
Messages instructing users to undergo an "Internal Review", complete "Pending Verification" or "Install App to Clear Challan" after entering a vehicle registration number should be treated with suspicion.
For official e-challan payment or verification, users are generally not required to install APK files obtained from external links, police said.
If a person suspects that a malicious APK has been installed, the internet connection on the mobile phone should be disconnected immediately. Suspicious applications should be uninstalled and the device reset at the earliest.
Users should also check UPI and other payment services, linked bank accounts and recent transactions for any unauthorised activity. Passwords of banking, email and social media accounts should be changed using another secure device, and the accounts monitored for suspicious activity.
Kerala Police urged the public to report such fake advertisements or suspected fraud within one hour, wherever possible, by calling 1930 or through the cybercrime.gov.in portal, https://cybercrime.gov.in?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
UNI DS
Tags: #Fake e-challan SMS# malicious APK scam: Kerala Police alerts vehicle owners
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