Authorities in Islamabad have issued a warning about a new scam that uses fake e-challan messages to trick residents into revealing banking details, highlighting a rising trend in cyber fraud linked to government enforcement notices.
Islamabad Traffic Police have warned residents about a new scam that uses fake e-challan messages to trick motorists into handing over banking details. The bogus texts are designed to look like official traffic fine notices and direct recipients to a payment link that can capture card or account information.
The warning echoes earlier alerts in Islamabad. In September 2025, Chief Traffic Officer Hamza Humayun cautioned the public about fraudulent SMS messages that claimed to be traffic challans and urged people to avoid suspicious links and check any fine through official channels. That advice came after repeated cases in which scammers borrowed the appearance of state notices to create pressure and urgency.
Officials say verification should be done only through the Islamabad police website, not through links sent by text message. Geo Fact Check previously exposed a fake Islamabad Traffic Police website that was selling driving licences, and police said at the time that the site was not affiliated with the force. The official Islamabad police website is islamabadpolice.gov.pk.
The latest alert comes amid a wider rise in cyber fraud built around transport fines and other government-facing services. In January 2026, a motorist in Islamabad reportedly lost Rs. 92,500 after responding to a phone scam involving a fake Punjab Safe Cities Authority e-challan, underscoring how quickly criminals can turn a routine traffic notice into a financial theft. Police are urging the public not to share personal or financial information in response to unverified messages and to confirm any challan before making a payment.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
