Brinztech Alert: The Alleged Database of Delhitransport.in is on Sale

Dark Web News Analysis

The dark web news reports a potential data breach involving Delhitransport.in, a domain associated with transport services in Delhi, India. A threat actor on a hacker forum is actively selling a database allegedly containing approximately 35,000 rows of user data.

The asking price is set at a relatively low $300, with the seller accepting Escrow to verify the transaction. The exposed fields reportedly include Full Names, Email Addresses, and Work Phone Numbers. The presence of “work” phone numbers suggests the database may contain details of employees, contractors, or commercial transport agents rather than just public commuters.

Key Cybersecurity Insights

Breaches of public sector or transport-related domains in India create specific fraud opportunities:

• “Challan” (Fine) Phishing: The most prevalent scam in the Indian transport sector is the “e-Challan” fraud. Attackers can use the Phone Numbers and Names to send SMS messages claiming: “Your vehicle has a pending traffic challan of ₹500. Pay immediately at [fake link] to avoid court seizure.” The official-sounding source domain adds credibility to these scams.
• Government Impersonation: If the database contains government employees or contractors, attackers can launch targeted social engineering attacks. They might pose as higher-ups in the Transport Department, requesting “urgent transfers” or sensitive document approvals via the exposed Work Emails.
• B2B Fraud: If the “Work Phone Numbers” belong to commercial fleet owners or transport agents, criminals can target them with fake insurance renewal offers, fraudulent vehicle permit services, or bogus fast-tag recharge schemes.
• Low Price & Availability: A $300 price tag usually implies the data is easily accessible (low-level hack) or that the seller plans to sell it to many buyers simultaneously. This guarantees that the 35,000 victims will likely be targeted by multiple different scam groups in the near future.

Mitigation Strategies

To protect the integrity of Delhi’s transport infrastructure and its users, the following strategies are recommended:

• Forensic Verification: The IT team must immediately investigate server logs to confirm if an SQL injection or compromised admin account led to this exfiltration.
• Public Advisory: Issue a clear warning to all registered users: “The Transport Department will never ask for payment of fines or fees via personal SMS links. Always check the official parivahan.gov.in or delhitransport.in portals.”
• Credential Reset: Force a password reset for all 35,000 users. Even if passwords weren’t listed in the sale sample, they may be part of the full dataset.
• SMS Filtering: Work with telecom operators to flag suspicious bulk SMS campaigns that use keywords related to “Delhi Transport” or “Challan” but originate from unauthorized sender IDs.

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