New Delhi, July 9 -- If you've received a message claiming you have a pending traffic challan and asking you to click on a link to make a payment, think twice before opening it.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), through its Fact Check unit, has warned that cybercriminals are circulating fake traffic challan messages to trick people into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful files. The government has advised citizens to verify any pending challan only through the official e-challan portal and avoid interacting with suspicious messages.

According to the PIB, fraudsters are using SMS and WhatsApp messages that closely resemble genuine traffic challan notifications sent by transport authorities.

The messages typically claim tha...