Beware! Fake Website For Driving License Dupes Applicant In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Think twice before applying for a driving licence online as there are chances that some fraudster might dupe you through fake websites. Gyana Ranjan Das is the victim of one such fake website and he is now running from pillar to post seeking refund of money which he paid online for a driving licence recently.

As per reports, Das had allegedly applied for a driving licence through a website www.drivinglicence.org. The website which even carries the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Digital India and Swachh Bharat campaign logos, clearly mentions that all the service are provided through a private agency.

The website seeks details for filing the application online following which one is asked to pay Rs 1,950 for a licence. Once the payment is made, the applicant neither gets driving licence nor deposited money back, alleged Das.

“After payment, I tried to contact the officials through the number mentioned on the website, but did not get any response,” said Das.

Though a massive crackdown was launched by Odisha Police on middlemen and agents at various Regional Transport Officer's (RTOs) offices, it seems that the fraudsters have now adopted new methods to dupe people.

At present, a user has to spend nearly Rs 1,000 for a driving licence. Through such websites, users have to cough up nearly Rs 1,950 for the service.

“These are fake websites created to make money by duping applicants. The Transport department and concerned authorities should take appropriate steps to block such websites,” said Chirag, a cyber expert.

Transport Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda, on the other hand, stated that “We do not know whether the concerned website is legal or fake. We will file an FIR after examining if it is illegal.”