Scammers Try To Defraud Defaulters In Traffic Challan Settlement Scheme In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Attempts are reportedly being made by cyber fraudsters to exploit the one-time settlement (OTS) scheme launched by the Odisha government to resolve pending traffic challans.

With scammers trying to defraud unsuspecting defaulters, the Commerce and Transport department has issued warnings after learning about several cases where defaulters received malicious links which look like part of the OTS initiative.

The OTS scheme, announced by the government on September 17, offers defaulters a significant reprieve, with discounts of up to 50% on traffic e-challans pending till July 31. To facilitate easy access, the govt has provided an official website link — https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in — for those wishing to avail of the scheme online.

It has been noticed that cybercriminals are trying to exploit defaulters by creating counterfeit websites and disseminating deceptive links to potential victims. Police are working to determine the exact number of victims and the financial losses suffered due to these scams.

Officials said the department received reports indicating that thousands of defaulters were targeted with fake messages and links over the past two weeks. Some of the defaulters have already lodged complaints with the police.

At least 15 people, including two government officials, fell victim to the cybercriminals and suffered substantial financial losses after clicking on the malicious links.

As part of efforts to tackle the issue, Principal Secretary of Transport department Usha Padhee and Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur held a meeting on Friday.

“We urge defaulters to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any communication related to the OTS scheme. Regional transport officers and police have been urged to raise awareness to prevent such frauds,” TOI quoted Thakur as saying.

Defaulters have been advised to use only the official link provided by the government to avoid falling prey to the scams.

The OTS initiative covers 24 sections of the Motor Vehicles Act involving violations like riding without a helmet, driving without a seatbelt, lacking a valid driving licence, and not having vehicle insurance.