Mumbai: Fake railway ticket app busted during AC local train check

Screengrab of the fake ticketing application (Pic/Special arrangement)

In a major breakthrough, the railway ticket-checking staff have detected a suspicious mobile application allegedly capable of generating fake-looking electronic train tickets. The fake ticketing incident was busted during a routine ticket inspection on an AC local train, prompting concerns over potential misuse by commuters.

According to railway officials, a passenger identified as Shaikh Faisal, who was travelling with his wife and son, produced an electronic return ticket from Virar (VR) to Churchgate (CCG) on a mobile application when asked to present a valid ticket.

During verification, the ticket-checking staff noticed that the font, layout and overall appearance of the displayed e-ticket differed from those generated through the official RailOne ticket booking application, raising suspicion about its authenticity.

A closer examination of the application revealed that it allowed users to manually enter journey details such as the originating station, destination station, date of travel, travel distance and number of passengers. After these details were entered, the application generated a screen closely resembling the ticket interface of the official RailOne app.

How authorities busted the fake e-ticketing application

To verify the ticket, officials then further checked the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) number displayed on the e-ticket using a Hand Held Terminal (HHT). The verification revealed that the UTS number actually belonged to a Second Class ticket issued on June 18 for travel from Virar to Sahar (SAH) and was unrelated to the passenger's claimed journey from Virar to Churchgate on June 20.

Officials, while briefing about the incident, said that the passenger was attempting to present the old ticket as a valid ticket for the ongoing journey.

During questioning, the passenger reportedly stated that he had downloaded the application through a link shared by a YouTuber.

Following the incident, concerns arose over the circulation of unofficial mobile applications that mimic the appearance of genuine railway ticketing platforms and could potentially be used to deceive ticket-checking staff.

Railway authorities are expected to investigate the origin of the application and determine whether it has been used in other instances of ticket fraud.

Officials further urged the passengers to book tickets only through authorised railway platforms and avoid downloading ticketing applications from unverified sources or third-party links.