Bengaluru Police Warn Citizens Against Fake Traffic Fine Rebate Messages
Bengaluru City Traffic Police (BTP) have issued a strong advisory warning motorists against fraudulent messages that falsely promise a 50% rebate on traffic fines. The caution comes after an incident reported on August 26, 2025, in which an engineer lost ₹2.6 lakh after downloading a malicious APK file sent through one of these scam messages.
The X post from BTP highlights how fraudsters are misusing the genuine rebate scheme announced by the Karnataka government, which offers a 50% discount on pending traffic fines until September 12, 2025. Instead of directing citizens to official platforms, the scammers circulate fake APK links designed to steal personal and financial data.
Officials stressed that fines should only be paid through legitimate channels, including the BTP ASTraM app, Karnataka State Police (KSP) app, Karnataka One centers, and designated traffic police stations. Citizens may also use official websites such as Bengaluru One and Karnataka One for safe transactions.
The traffic police emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity of messages and payment links before taking any action. They further urged the public to report such scams immediately to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930.
By issuing this advisory, Bengaluru Traffic Police have reinforced their commitment to safeguarding citizens not only on the roads but also in the digital space, ensuring that traffic fine collections remain transparent, secure, and scam-free.
