A new scam involving fake High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) has come to light in Maharashtra, catching vehicle owners and businesses off guard. Fraudsters set up bogus websites posing as official registration portals, duping thousands of people into paying for counterfeit number plates.
As per several reports, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Mumbai Police Cyber Cell had received multiple complaints from victims who made online payments for HSRPs. Later, they realised that they had fallen for a well-organised fraud. In some cases, unsuspecting vehicle owners were lured through fake social media ads and phishing links, leading them to fraudulent portals where they unknowingly shared personal and financial details.
While the scam had raised concerns for individual vehicle owners, its likely implications on businesses operating large fleets, ride-hailing services, and delivery platforms can be even more alarming. Fake number plates pose compliance risks. This could make it difficult for businesses to track and verify their delivery fleet. How can businesses be sure that their fleet vehicles and drivers operate with genuine, legally registered plates?
This is where HSRP verification becomes essential. Ensuring your fleet has authentic registration plates can protect your business from legal liabilities and security risks.
Fraudsters targeted vehicle owners via fake websites, social media ads, and phishing links. This tricked them into making payments for number plates that never arrived. In a few cases, they even issued fake plates that did not comply with government regulations.
As reported in the news, cybercriminals set up fake websites mimicking official portals that claimed to offer authentic HSRP registration. Many victims landed on these sites through misleading Google ads or WhatsApp forwards, believing they were dealing with authorised vendors. Once on these fake platforms, they were prompted to enter personal details, vehicle registration numbers, and payment information. Later, they realised that they had been scammed.
In some cases, even businesses managing vehicle fleets had unknowingly procured fake number plates, putting them at risk of fines and legal action. Reports suggested that unsuspecting logistics providers and ride-hailing platforms may already have had drivers operating with fraudulent plates, making it crucial for companies to verify every vehicle before onboarding.
A senior RTO official in Pune, as quoted in several reports, stated:
“We have received numerous complaints from people who made payments on fake websites and were either issued fake plates or never received them at all. Vehicle owners must only use authorised government portals or vendors listed by their respective transport departments.”
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cyber Cell has filed multiple FIRs against the fraudsters behind these scams.
While authorities are cracking down on these fraudulent websites, businesses cannot afford to wait for enforcement action. The only way to safeguard against onboarding vehicles with fake HSRPs is through a strong verification process that checks the legitimacy of number plates before they are allowed onto logistics and delivery networks.
For businesses that rely on a network of vehicles—whether in logistics, ride-hailing, or last-mile delivery—this fake HSRP scam is a serious operational risk.
Many firms onboard drivers and fleet vehicles without verifying the authenticity of their number plates, assuming that vehicle registration is the owner’s responsibility. However, businesses that fail to conduct proper checks may unknowingly allow vehicles with counterfeit plates onto their platforms. This creates multiple risks:
- Regulatory Violations – Operating a vehicle with an invalid or counterfeit number plate is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Businesses that fail to verify HSRPs may inadvertently employ non-compliant vehicles, facing regulatory scrutiny and potential fines.
- Increased Liability in Case of Accidents – If a vehicle with a fake number plate is involved in an accident or criminal activity, tracking its ownership becomes difficult. Businesses may find themselves liable if the vehicle was operating within their network.
- Compromised Fleet Security – Fraudulent number plates make it easier for criminals to use stolen or unauthorised vehicles for illegal activities under the guise of legitimate operations. This is concerning for companies handling sensitive cargo, food delivery, or passenger transport.
- Erosion of Customer Trust – Ride-hailing services and e-commerce platforms rely on trust and transparency. If customers discover that some vehicles within the company’s ecosystem are using fake plates, it could damage the brand’s reputation and lead to customer attrition.
A senior official from the Mumbai Cyber Cell, highlighted the scale of the issue:
Fraudsters are using digital platforms to dupe vehicle owners into purchasing fake number plates. Many of these cases involve logistics and ride-hailing drivers who were unaware that they were issued counterfeit HSRPs.
