Pune IT Student Caught For Creating Fake PMPML App

A 20-year-old Information Technology student from Pune has been caught for creating a duplicate version of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) mobile application. The student, identified as Prathamesh Laxman Boge, allegedly used his coding and programming skills to generate fake daily passes and travel for free.

The incident came to light on August 30, 2026, when a PMPML conductor, Dattatray Jayabhaye, noticed Boge travelling on a bus using a suspicious daily pass. Jayabhaye noticed discrepancies in the digital pass and alerted senior officials, who subsequently traced and brought Boge to the PMPML headquarters for a technical examination of the application on his mobile phone.

During the examination, PMPML's IT department found that the pass displayed on Boge's phone did not match the official application. The background colour of the pass differed from the colour designated by PMPML for that day, confirming that the pass was fake. Boge allegedly admitted to developing the duplicate application himself and using it to travel for free whenever he did not have money to pay.

The PMPML conductor, Jayabhaye, has been credited with exposing the fraud. He claimed to have helped authorities identify five passengers involved in similar frauds in the past. Jayabhaye said that close examination of the digital pass can reveal several indicators of authenticity, including the bus schedule and images of buses that appear when the screen is scrolled down.

Boge has been booked by the police and is currently under investigation. The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and security measures to prevent such frauds in the future.

The PMPML has been using a mobile application to issue daily passes to passengers, which has made it easier for commuters to travel. However, the incident has raised concerns about the security of the application and the potential for fraud.

The police are investigating the matter and are likely to take further action against Boge. The incident has also raised awareness about the importance of verifying the authenticity of digital passes and the need for passengers to be vigilant when using public transport.

In recent times, there have been several instances of fraud and scams in Pune, including cases of fake tickets and passes. The incident highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance among passengers and transport authorities to prevent such frauds.

The PMPML has taken steps to prevent such frauds in the future, including increasing security measures and verifying the authenticity of digital passes. The incident has also raised awareness about the importance of using genuine and authorized applications for public transport.

The incident has significant implications for the security and authenticity of digital passes and tickets in public transport. It highlights the need for increased vigilance and security measures to prevent such frauds and ensure that passengers are protected from scams and frauds.

In conclusion, the incident of the IT student creating a fake PMPML app to travel for free has raised concerns about the security and authenticity of digital passes and tickets in public transport. It highlights the need for increased vigilance and security measures to prevent such frauds and ensure that passengers are protected from scams and frauds.