Fake mParivahan App Dupes Pune IT Professional of ₹6.4 Lakh in Just One Hour

A 34-year-old IT professional in Pune lost ₹6,40,950 in an alleged cyber fraud after downloading a malicious Android application disguised as the government’s mParivahan service. The fraud began with a fake traffic e-challan alert on WhatsApp and resulted in unauthorised transactions across four credit cards within an hour.
According to the FIR registered at Ambegaon Police Station, the victim lives in Ambegaon Budruk and works for an IT company in Hinjawadi.
On the afternoon of October 9, 2026, he received a WhatsApp message from an international virtual number claiming that a ₹1,000 traffic fine had been imposed on his electric two-wheeler.
To check the alleged violation, he clicked on the link in the message. The webpage prompted him to download an application installation file named “NxtGen MParivahan”.
After opening the app, he saw a pending challan payment of just ₹1. Suspecting something was wrong, he immediately uninstalled the application. However, the malicious software had allegedly already gained access to his device.
The APK reportedly obtained administrative permissions and redirected incoming calls and SMS messages to an unknown mobile number. This allegedly allowed the fraudsters to access one-time passwords (OTPs) and other information needed to carry out financial transactions.
The accused then allegedly made seven consecutive transactions using four credit cards linked to ICICI Bank, SBI Card, AU Small Finance Bank and HDFC Bank. The total amount withdrawn was ₹6,40,950.
The victim reported the unauthorised transactions through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal helpline, 1930, before approaching Ambegaon Police Station to file a formal complaint.
The police have received the complaint against unidentified individuals and the alleged beneficiary account holders.

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