New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has warned of a fake FASTag annual pass scam operating online. Vehicle users are being cheated through bogus websites offering the annual pass.
NHAI has clarified that the FASTag Annual Pass is sold exclusively through the official Rajmarg Yatra mobile app. No other websites, social media pages, WhatsApp/Telegram links, third-party sellers, or external platforms are authorised to offer or process the pass.
According to NHAI, fraudsters are taking advantage of the Rs 3,000 FASTag Annual Pass, which allows up to 200 trips or one full year of travel on National Highways for eligible private non-commercial vehicles, as reported by Financial Express.
Scammers create look-alike websites that appear legitimate – often ranking at the top of Google search results through paid ads and manipulated SEO. Victims are lured into entering payment information or scanning malicious QR codes, resulting in direct financial loss of nearly Rs 3,000 per transaction.
The funds are getting diverted to mule bank accounts and sensitive personal and vehicle details are getting stolen.
Several complaints have already come in from victims. These are being tracked by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs.
NHAI, in a multi-platform advisory, posted on X, Facebook, Instagram, and other channels, states: “#NHAI cautions commuters against fake websites and unauthorised links claiming to sell FASTag Annual Passes. The #FASTagAnnualPass is available only through the official Rajmargyatra App. Any other platform offering the pass is not authorised and may result in financial fraud or misuse of personal information.”
NHAI has recommended that users activate or purchase the FASTag Annual Pass only via the Rajmarg Yatra app, never click on suspicious links, advertisements, or messages promising the pass, avoid sharing FASTag, vehicle, or payment details on unverified sites and immediately report suspicious websites or fraud attempts to cybercrime authorities.
