Kochi Cyber Police Arrest Two for Fake Parivahan App Scam

Rapid Summary

• Kochi City police’s cyber wing arrested two individuals, Atul Kumar Singh (32) and Manish Yadav (24), from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly cheating people using a fake Parivahan mobile request.
• The duo reportedly used WhatsApp to send fraudulent files that appeared to enable payment of fines for traffic-rule violations.
• A resident of Kochi lodged a complaint after being defrauded of ₹85,000 through one such fake link.
• Upon investigation, police discovered data related to over 2,700 vehicles from various states including Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal on the suspects’ devices.

Indian Opinion Analysis
This case highlights growing vulnerabilities in digital security pertaining to government services in India. the exploitation of trust through a counterfeit version of the Parivahan application underscores the importance for authorities to strengthen awareness campaigns about official platforms and prevent misuse by fraudsters.Additionally, with interstate vehicle information being compromised across five states-including Kerala-it signals potential risks tied to broader data breaches if not addressed promptly. While prompt action by Kochi’s cyber police demonstrates effective cross-state collaboration in tackling digital crimes, sustained efforts will be key in ensuring confidence among citizens relying heavily on online portals for critical services like paying fines or managing vehicle information.

Read more at: July 21, 2025 01:04 am IST.