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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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
