In a recent development, the Maharashtra Transport Department has raised concerns about a new scam targeting vehicle owners. The department has reported that some unidentified individuals are deceiving vehicle owners by posing as providers of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) through six fraudulent websites. This has prompted the South Cyber Police Station of the Mumbai Crime Branch to take action and investigate the matter.
The complaint was officially lodged by Gajanan Thombare, an Assistant Transport Commissioner working at the Transport Commissioner’s Office in CST. Thombare emphasized the importance of having High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles for national security reasons. He explained that these plates play a crucial role in reducing vehicle-related crimes, identifying vehicles on the road, and preventing tampering and counterfeiting of number plates, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
To ensure compliance with this directive and enhance citizen safety, the Maharashtra government initiated the installation of HSRP on vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. Three organizations—M/s. Rosmerta Safety Systems Limited, M/s. Real Mazon India Limited (Zone-2), and M/s. F T A HSRP Solutions Limited (Zone-3)—were entrusted with the task of installing these high-security plates.
All vehicle owners in Maharashtra were instructed to register on the Transport Department’s website (https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in) under the HSRP NEW–HSRP ONLINE BOOKING tab to facilitate the installation of HSRP on their vehicles. The online portal would then redirect them to the designated organizations to complete the installation process.
However, complications arose when the selected organizations reported receiving complaints about fraudulent activities through fake websites. In response to these alarming reports, Thombare promptly alerted the Mumbai Police and filed a formal complaint against the cyber criminals involved in this deceptive scheme.
The police have since taken swift action and registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS and the IT Act. Efforts are currently underway to track down and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this fraudulent activity targeting vehicle owners in Maharashtra. The authorities are urging vigilance among the general public to avoid falling victim to such scams and to verify the legitimacy of any online platforms offering services related to vehicle registration and compliance.
The investigation into this scam highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for stringent enforcement to protect individuals from falling prey to online fraudsters. As the case unfolds, authorities are committed to ensuring the safety and security of vehicle owners in Maharashtra and upholding the integrity of the registration process for High-Security Registration Plates.