Fake e-Challan Websites Scam: Over 36 Domains Target Indian Drivers

If you drive a vehicle in India, you need to stay extra alert when checking your phone for notifications. A massive phishing operation has been uncovered that uses more than 36 fake e-challan websites to trick unsuspecting drivers. These fraudulent sites are designed to look exactly like the official government portals, but their only goal is to steal your sensitive banking information. Cybersecurity experts from Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs (CRIL) found that this campaign specifically targets vehicle owners by exploiting their fear of legal penalties and traffic fines .

How the Large-Scale Phishing Scam Works

The scammers behind these 36 fake e-challan websites use a very clever and localized approach to build trust. It usually starts with an SMS sent to your mobile number, often appearing to come from a local Reliance Jio connection. This message warns you about an unpaid traffic violation and creates a sense of panic by threatening legal action or license suspension. When you click the link provided in the text, you are redirected to one of the 36 fake e-challan websites that perfectly mimics the look and feel of the official Parivahan or RTO portals.

Psychological Tricks and Fabricated Data

What makes this scam particularly dangerous is that the 36 fake e-challan websites are designed to generate a "valid" violation regardless of the data you enter. Even if you type in a random vehicle or license number, the site will display a fabricated record showing a modest fine, such as 590 rupees. By keeping the amount relatively low and setting a near-term expiration date, the attackers encourage victims to pay immediately without questioning the authenticity of the site. This psychological pressure is a hallmark of the 36 fake e-challan websites currently active across the country.

The Infrastructure of Fraud

The technical side of this operation shows that these 36 fake e-challan websites are part of a much larger criminal network. Researchers discovered that the same servers hosting these traffic fine clones are also used for other phishing activities, including fake HSBC payment pages and delivery scams impersonating companies like DTDC and Delhivery. The 36 fake e-challan websites use domains that look almost identical to the real ones, such as "parizvaihen.icu" or "echallv.vip," making it very easy for a casual user to miss the misspelling and fall into the trap.

Stolen Banking and Card Details

Once a victim is convinced that they owe a fine, the 36 fake e-challan websites lead them to a payment page. Unlike the official government site, which offers multiple payment options like UPI or net banking, these fraudulent pages strictly demand credit or debit card details. This allows the attackers to harvest your card number, expiry date, and CVV directly. "The payment workflow is deliberately restricted to credit/debit cards, avoiding traceable UPI or net banking rails," according to the findings from Cyble. Every piece of data entered into these 36 fake e-challan websites is sent straight to the attackers' database.

How to Protect Yourself from Fake Portals

To avoid falling victim to the 36 fake e-challan websites, it is essential to verify every message you receive. Official traffic fine notifications in India will always lead you to a website ending in ".gov.in" and will never ask you to download an APK file or use a suspicious third party link. If you receive a text about a fine, ignore the link and go directly to the official Parivahan website at echallan.parivahan.gov.in. By staying informed about the existence of these 36 fake e-challan websites, you can keep your financial data safe and avoid becoming another statistic in this large-scale phishing scam.