Businessman Loses ₹2.55 Lakh in Fake RTO Challan APK Scam; Police Warn Citizens

Pune businessman cheated of ₹2.55 lakh after installing fake RTO Challan APK. Police urge citizens not to open suspicious files and verify challans through official government portals.

Pune, October 31, 2025 – A businessman from Khopde Nagar in Pune was cheated of ₹2.55 lakh after he unknowingly installed a fake “RTO Challan” APK file sent through WhatsApp. According to the Cyber Police, the victim received a message claiming to be from the Regional Transport Office, stating that a fine of ₹500 had been issued against his vehicle. The message also contained an APK file link that appeared to be a digital challan. Believing it to be genuine, the businessman downloaded and installed the file.

Shortly after installing the application, the victim’s phone was compromised. Within hours, multiple unauthorized transactions were made from his Punjab National Bank account, amounting to ₹2.55 lakh. The businessman immediately approached the Cyber Police and lodged a complaint. Senior Inspector Rahul Khilare said the investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify the fraudsters.

Officials explained that scammers often use APK files disguised as government notifications or challans to gain remote access to a victim’s mobile device. Once installed, these files can capture sensitive banking details, passwords, and OTPs, allowing fraudsters to transfer money without the user’s knowledge.

Cyber experts have advised citizens to avoid downloading any APK files received through messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram. Government departments, including the RTO, never send challans in this format. Citizens are urged to check all official notices through verified portals such as parivahan.gov.in or their respective state transport websites.

Police have also appealed to the public to immediately report such incidents to the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. They stressed the importance of enabling bank transaction alerts and using secure digital payment applications. This case serves as yet another reminder of how quickly digital fraud can happen if users let their guard down online.

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