Bengaluru engineer loses Rs 2.65 lakh in traffic fine scam; police warn against fraudulent APK links

As thousands rush to pay fines during the 50% penalty rebate, cyber fraudsters target citizens with fake APK file links, draining bank accounts within minutes.

Amid the ongoing 50% traffic penalty rebate in Bengaluru, cyber fraudsters are exploiting the rush to clear dues with a dangerous new trick. In a shocking case, a 50-year-old engineer, Murali Mohan from Telecom Layout, lost Rs 2.65 lakh after falling victim to a malicious link disguised as a traffic fine payment gateway.

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According to reports, Mohan had been browsing the official government website to check pending fines against his vehicle. Soon after, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, containing an APK file link urging him to complete his payment. Believing it was genuine, he clicked on it, only for his phone to be hijacked. Within minutes, unauthorised transactions drained Rs 2,65,979 from his account.

He immediately approached the Kodigehalli Police, who registered an FIR and began investigating the fraudulent transactions.

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The incident has raised serious concerns about data security, especially since the scam link appeared right after the victim accessed the official portal. Police confirmed that this is a common modus operandi: malicious APK files often contain malware capable of hijacking phones, stealing banking credentials, and enabling remote access.

A senior police official stressed, “We urge citizens never to click on suspicious APK files, especially during rebate periods when fraudsters become more active.”

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Authorities have reminded the public that traffic fines must only be paid through official channels, including:
•    Karnataka State Police (KSP) app
•    BTP ASTraM app (Bengaluru Traffic Division)
•    Karnataka One and Bangalore One websites
•    Traffic Police Stations or Traffic Management Centres

With digital scams on the rise, the Bengaluru Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid third-party links or unofficial messages while dealing with government-related services.

For thousands of Bengalureans rushing to clear penalties under the rebate window, this case serves as a chilling reminder: a single click on a fraudulent link can cost lakhs.

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