Fake UPI scanners, free ticket misuse: BMTC uncovers major conductor fraud

BMTC suspends three conductors after internal checks reveal misuse of UPI scanners and exploitation of the Shakti free travel scheme, causing financial losses to the transport corporation.

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has uncovered serious irregularities involving a few of its conductors, who allegedly cheated the public transport utility by misusing digital payment systems and the state’s Shakti free travel scheme. The issue came to light following a report submitted to the BMTC Managing Director, prompting internal scrutiny.

BMTC buses are equipped with official UPI scanners to help passengers make cashless ticket payments. However, investigations revealed that some conductors removed these official scanners and instead used their personal UPI QR codes. As a result, the ticket fare paid by passengers was directly credited to the conductors’ personal bank accounts, bypassing BMTC’s revenue system.

During verification of certain conductors’ bank accounts, officials reportedly found transactions amounting to more than ₹50,000 collected from passengers. This confirmed that the malpractice was not incidental but involved deliberate misuse of digital payment facilities, causing significant financial loss to the transport corporation.

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In addition to the scanner fraud, authorities also found misuse of the state government’s Shakti scheme, which allows free bus travel for women. Under the scheme, tickets are printed with “free ticket” clearly mentioned in Kannada, but the English version does not explicitly state that the ticket is free. Some conductors allegedly took advantage of this gap by issuing free tickets to passengers who could not read Kannada, including North Indian and non-Kannada-speaking South Indian passengers, while collecting money from them for personal gain.

Following these revelations, transport officials initiated a formal inquiry. BMTC has suspended three conductors found involved in the misuse of fake scanners and fraudulent practices. The corporation has also begun a wider review to identify whether similar irregularities are taking place elsewhere in the system.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy informed News First that the incident took place in December last year and was followed by a detailed investigation. During the probe, it was found that some BMTC conductors had diverted ticket money by getting payments transferred to their personal UPI accounts. Three conductors were identified during the investigation and have already been suspended, with official orders issued.

Following the incident, instructions have been given to reinstall new department-issued UPI scanners in BMTC buses to prevent such malpractice. The minister said steps have been taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. He also made it clear that strict disciplinary action will be taken against conductors who cause financial loss to the department, stating that retaining dishonest staff would harm the organisation and that no such misconduct will be tolerated going forward.