ISLAMABAD: As the Punjab government has launched a strict crackdown on traffic violations, scammers have found a way to scam people by faking traffic e-Challans.
Such scams have surged across Pakistan in which the scammers send fake e-challans to commuters pretending to be the actual Punjab police, and people unknowingly send money at the designated codes of numbers provided by the scammers.
However, the government has also issued brief steps through which you can save yourself from this scam.
Verify Before Paying
- Check Official Portals: Never trust an SMS link. Check your challan status on the official website for your region (e.g., https://echallan.psca.gop.pk/ for Punjab).
- Sender Identification: Official messages from the Punjab Safe City Authority come only from 8070 or 9915.
- Check Images: Inspect the photographic evidence. If the photo shows a different vehicle model, a blurred plate, or a cloned plate, it is a faulty or fake challan.
- Look for Suspicious Links: Fake messages often include links leading to non-governmental sites (e.g., .info instead of .gov)
2. How to Dispute a Wrong
If you received an incorrect challan due to technical errors or cloned plates:
- Punjab (PSCA): Visit the PSCA e-challan portal, enter your vehicle number/CNIC, and use the “Review” option to raise a dispute, or visit the PSCA Head Office.
- Karachi/Sindh: Visit the Traffic Facilitation Center/Sahulat Center with your vehicle documents and CNIC to have the challan reviewed. If it is your first offence, it might be waived off, or for technical errors, it will be cancelled.
- File an FIR: If your number plate is being used on another vehicle (plate cloning), file an FIR at the nearest police station to avoid future liability.
- Report Fraud: If you received a message asking for money via a suspicious link, report it to the FIA Cyber Crime Cell (1991).
3. Immediate Steps if Scammed
- Do Not Click Links: Avoid clicking on SMS or WhatsApp links promising “fast track” payments.
- Delete Malicious Files: If you downloaded a fake APK file, uninstall it immediately.
- Secure Accounts: If you shared bank details, call your bank immediately to block the account/card.
