Karachi citizens have been increasingly alarmed after receiving suspicious e challan messages claiming to be traffic violation notices, prompting concern across the city and triggering an official response from Karachi Traffic Police.
Over the past several days, a large number of residents in Karachi have reported receiving e challan notifications on their mobile phones that appear to demand immediate action, often urging recipients to click on links to view alleged traffic violations or to settle fines. Authorities have confirmed that many of these messages are fraudulent and are part of a widespread scam designed to exploit public trust in digital traffic enforcement systems. At the same time, officials have acknowledged that there have also been limited instances of genuine system errors, which have added to public confusion and made it more difficult for citizens to distinguish between authentic notifications and malicious attempts. The overlap of scam activity and technical glitches has created an environment in which people are unsure about the legitimacy of messages related to traffic violations.
Karachi Traffic Police have issued an urgent public warning to address the situation, emphasizing that citizens should exercise extreme caution when receiving any e challan messages, especially those originating from private or unfamiliar numbers. According to officials, scammers are deliberately using private numbers and unofficial formats to imitate legitimate traffic police communications, hoping recipients will react quickly without verification. The warning clearly advises residents to never open links sent through private numbers, as these links may lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal information or compromise mobile devices. Officials stressed that legitimate e challan notifications follow specific channels and formats, and any deviation from those standards should immediately raise suspicion among recipients.
Authorities further explained that genuine system errors, while relatively rare, can sometimes result in incorrect or delayed messages being sent to motorists. However, they clarified that official communication channels are being monitored and reviewed to minimize such issues and to ensure greater transparency for the public. Karachi Traffic Police have urged citizens who believe they have received a legitimate message in error to verify the information through official helplines or authorized platforms rather than responding directly to the message. This approach, they said, helps protect individuals from falling victim to scams while also allowing authorities to identify and correct technical problems within the system.
The ongoing scam highlights broader concerns about digital fraud and the increasing sophistication of methods used to deceive the public. Officials have reiterated that public awareness remains the strongest defense against such cybercrime activities. Citizens are being encouraged to share verified information with family members and colleagues, particularly those who may be less familiar with digital safety practices. Karachi Traffic Police continue to monitor the situation closely and have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the public from fraudulent activities while improving the reliability of official e challan systems.
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