Fake traffic e-challan scam sweeps Karnataka; victims suffer heavy losses
Belagavi: A new cyber fraud scam is spreading rapidly across Karnataka, with residents in Belagavi, Bengaluru, Shivamogga, and other districts falling victim to fake e-challan messages.
According to a report by The New Indian Express on Monday, cybercriminals are exploiting the traffic fine system by sending malicious APK files disguised as official police challan notifications.
When unsuspecting victims click and install these files, malware gains control of their mobile phones, giving fraudsters access to sensitive information, including bank account details. Using this data, criminals have stolen large sums from victims’ accounts.
In Belagavi, several such cases have already been reported. Victims receive messages claiming to be from the police, urging them to pay pending traffic fines through a link attached to an APK file. Once installed, the malware compromises the device, leading to unauthorised bank withdrawals, added the report.
In one instance, a resident of Shivamogga reportedly lost Rs 1.5 lakh from two bank accounts after downloading such an app to check for supposed traffic fines. In another case, a driver in Belagavi was defrauded of Rs 40,000.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Three footballers of Indian origin named in squads for FIFA World Cup 2026
New Delhi: Three footballers of Indian origin have been named in preliminary or final squads for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
According to a report published by Mathrubhumi, Sarpreet Singh was included in the New Zealand national football team squad which was announced on Wednesday.
Born in Auckland to Indian parents, Singh was eligible to represent India through his family roots but chose to play for New Zealand. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder made his senior international debut in 2018 and has since become a regular member of the national side.
Singh has made 26 appearances for New Zealand and has scored three goals while providing seven assists.
Julen Lopetegui has included two players of Indian origin: Niall Mason and Tahsin Mohammed, in Qatar’s selections for the tournament.
Mason, a defender whose mother is Indian, previously trained in the youth academies of Real Madrid, Southampton FC and Aston Villa FC. Although he received his first senior call-up earlier this year, the Qatar defender is yet to make his senior international debut.
Tahsin Mohammed, 19, was born to parents from Kerala’s Kannur district. His father Jamshid is from Thalassery, while his mother Shaima belongs to Valapattanam. The winger became the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League, Qatar’s premier domestic football competition.
Mohammed has made two appearances for the senior Qatar side, including in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada.
