It was just another regular morning for Anil Edwin, a government employee from Bhopal. He parked his car outside the office, walked in, and settled down with a steaming cup of chai. Just as he was about to start his day, his phone buzzed. A notification from his bank.
“₹115 debited from your FASTag account. Toll Plaza: Narmadapuram”
Anil frowned. That was odd. His car was right outside, untouched. How could there be a charge from the toll plaza that is 100 km away? He ignored it, assuming it was a system glitch.
But by lunchtime, another message popped up, another deduction.
This time, Anil knew something was wrong.
The FASTag Scam That Nobody Saw Coming
The government introduced FASTag services to make life easier. No more long queues at toll plazas, no more fumbling for change.
Just cross the toll plaza, and the money gets deducted automatically. But as with every technological advancement, scammers weren’t far behind.
Reports from Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country have exposed a new breed of fraud where money is being deducted from FASTag accounts even when cars are parked at home.
Many victims have reported cases where toll charges are deducted without them even crossing.
Another Similar Case of Manoj Rajput
If Anil’s story was strange, Manoj Rajput’s was even worse. He was at a petrol pump in Bhopal when his phone buzzed. A toll charge of ₹465 had been deducted from his FASTag account.
The toll location? Somewhere in Rajasthan.
“How is this possible?” he muttered, showing the message to the petrol pump attendant. “My car has been right here.”
The attendant nodded. “Sir, you’re not the first one. Just last week, a customer had a similar issue.”
Manoj immediately called the FASTag helpline, only to be met with automated responses and endless waiting times.
How Are Scammers Pulling This Off?
Cybersecurity experts believe the scam is being carried out using FASTag cloning. Fraudsters duplicate the RFID stickers linked to a user’s bank account.
When the cloned tag is used at a toll plaza, the money gets deducted from the original owner’s account.
Some reports even suggest the involvement of insiders who have access to FASTag databases.
A Scam That Goes Beyond Madhya Pradesh
The issue isn’t limited to just one state. Authorities have uncovered a massive nationwide toll fraud involving over 200 toll plazas across 12 states.
One of the masterminds, Alok Kumar Singh, an MCA graduate, reportedly developed fake NHAI software to manipulate toll systems and generate fraudulent receipts.
This scam has allegedly siphoned off crores of rupees.
How to Report Such Scams?
Authorities are working to stop such scams.
People generally avoid messages of small deductions, but behind the scenes, such small amounts are resulting in the multi-crore scam. It is therefore important to report such scams.
If you have been receiving such messages from different toll plazas, it is time to act.
Register with us now, and our team will assist you by filling it out for the respective platform.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Reporting is the way that might help you in getting recovery of losses, but above all is the prevention from getting scammed.
If you use FASTag, here are a few things you can do to prevent falling victim to this scam:
- Regularly Check Your FASTag Statements — Keep an eye on your transaction history for any unusual deductions.
- Secure Your FASTag Sticker — Ensure it is properly placed and not easily accessible to avoid cloning.
- Link FASTag to a Digital Wallet — This prevents direct access to your bank account, limiting potential losses.
- Stay Updated on Security Measures — Follow official FASTag channels for any alerts on potential fraud.
The Bigger Picture
Technology is meant to make our lives easier, but it also opens doors for scammers who exploit loopholes. While authorities are working on cracking down on FASTag fraud, the onus is also on users to stay vigilant.
So the next time you get a FASTag deduction alert, don’t just swipe it away. Check it. You never know when your car might be paying tolls on highways it has never traveled.
