A new form of cyberattack is sweeping across Cuttack, a prominent metropolitan city in eastern India’s Odisha state. The latest scam targets unsuspecting smartphone users through the widely-used messaging platform, WhatsApp, by impersonating government road transportation departments.
🚨 Fake Traffic Challans Used to Spread Malware
Cybercriminals are sending deceptive messages that resemble official traffic violation notices—locally known as “RODTO challans”—urging recipients to download attached files. These attachments, once opened, install malware that grants hackers full access to the user’s device.
The malware disrupts normal usage of WhatsApp and causes the infected device to automatically send the same malicious message to contacts in the victim’s address book, thereby spreading the attack further.
📉 Victims Report Data Theft and Bank Fraud
Several victims have already confirmed that their personal data and digital assets have been compromised. One Cuttack resident filed a complaint with the local cybercrime police, stating that her personal details were misused and unauthorized withdrawals were made from her bank account following the malware infection.
💻 Experts Warn Against Downloading Suspicious Files
Cybersecurity professionals warn that the malware embedded in these fake challan files is capable of stealing sensitive financial and personal data directly from infected devices. Investigations are currently underway to determine the full extent of the damage caused by this coordinated cyberattack.
📱 Officials Urge Public to Stay Vigilant
Authorities are advising users to avoid downloading attachments sent via messaging apps like WhatsApp, especially if they appear unsolicited or suspicious. Citizens are also encouraged to:
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Enable two-factor authentication on all major apps
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Regularly update their smartphone software
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Report any suspicious messages to the nearest cybercrime division immediately
With the scam still active, public awareness and prompt action remain the first line of defense against this rising threat in Odisha.
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