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.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
