Deadline for HSRP extended till May 31; cyber crooks make hay

BENGALURU: Ahead of the deadline for installing HSRP (high security registration plates) number plates for all vehicles, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who presented the state budget on Friday, announced that the deadline has been extended for the next three months. The fresh deadline is now May 31.

Following the order, cyber fraudsters have started to cheat gullible people in the name of HSRP number plate registration. The police have cautioned that people should be careful before applying for HSRP .

As per the notification issued by the government, the Timeline for affixing the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for all class of vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019 was extended till February 17, 2024 which has further been extended till May 31, 2024.

As per the new rule of the Transport Department, the HSRP number plate is mandatory, most vehicle owners are not aware. Hence, the deadline was extended by another three months and vehicle owners should apply online for HSRP. All you have to do is scan the QR code and deposit the money. But the cyber fraudsters have started misusing the process by creating fake websites and getting money into private accounts through the QR code.

Several fake QR codes and links in the name of HSRP are doing the rounds online after the government issued instructions to make HSRP number plates mandatory. The criminals send fake links to those applying for HSRP and following the links, people will get a QR code. If one just touches the QR code, their account will be linked to an unknown account and hackers will easily transfer money to their account.

A person has lodged a complaint with the police through ‘X’ along with a QR code. The police have suggested that people should be careful of cyber fraudsters.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Division Shivprakash Devaraj, reacting to a question on misuse of HSRP registration process and duplicate QR code, said, “There are fake apps online and people are getting cheated. Fake links are being shared on social media regarding the HSRP plate registration. People must be careful about such links. Many people have complaints about fake websites. The public can apply only through the official website of the RTO. If the QR code is not generated on the RTO website, do not pay. Make sure the website is working properly before making a payment. If people sense foul play, they should report it to the cybercrime station immediately. We will also inform the cybercrime station about the same”.