Rules meant to ensure public safety often create new opportunities for fraudsters to exploit citizens.
When a regulation becomes mandatory, most people comply without question, assuming the official process will be transparent and safe. Unfortunately, such trust is exactly what scammers target.
In Hyderabad, the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) rule, introduced to standardise vehicle identification, is now being misused by fraudsters posing as authorised agents.
Reports suggest that these individuals contact vehicle owners with fake claims of urgent deadlines and threats of heavy penalties. They demand inflated fees or advance payments, pretending to offer instant HSRP installation.
Many vehicle owners fall for the scam, believing any message about HSRP must be official. The issue reveals both the growing confidence of fraudsters and the lack of clear communication from authorities.
The Telangana Transport Department has clarified that HSRP applications should only be made through authorised platforms. Yet, unclear public messaging has left room for misinformation and deception.
To prevent such scams, the government must combine strict enforcement with simple, transparent communication. Without that, even a well-intentioned rule like HSRP can turn into another tool for exploitation.
