The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a public warning to motorists regarding fraudulent text messages designed to impersonate official traffic violation notices. The agency cautioned the public against clicking on links contained in these unsolicited messages, which direct recipients to websites where they are asked to pay alleged fines. The warning follows a surge in reports from drivers who received texts claiming they had committed road traffic offences.
One social media user detailed how he fell victim to the scam after responding to such a message. “Yesterday, I received a message about a road safety violation. I clicked the link and paid a fine of just ₦5, only to wake up this morning and discover that millions of naira had been wiped from my account,” the victim stated. He expressed uncertainty over how the fraudsters obtained his details, noting, “I don’t know who to blame, whether it was my service provider or the road safety officials.”
Other motorists have also reported receiving similar communications, with some identifying red flags in the payment process. One driver told TheCable that he became suspicious because the website provided only one payment option, unlike the three options he had previously encountered when paying a genuine traffic fine. “This was when it struck me. I have paid a fine before and I had three options for payment,” he said.
The FRSC identified “frscgov.top/ng” as a fraudulent website created to impersonate the agency. According to the Corps, these scam messages typically create a sense of urgency by claiming a new traffic offence has been recorded and instructing recipients to click a link to review the alleged violation. The agency warned that these links could be used to harvest sensitive personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.
In response, the FRSC advised the public to verify any alleged traffic violations directly through its authorised platforms rather than relying on links in unsolicited messages. Motorists can check their status via the Corps’ official website, frsc.gov.ng, or its national toll-free line, 122. The agency specifically warned against disclosing banking information, passwords, card details, driver’s licence information, or vehicle registration details through such unverified links.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed directed that the public be adequately sensitised about the fraudulent scheme and urged motorists to exercise caution in their online engagements. The agency stated it would collaborate with relevant law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities to investigate the impersonation and pursue those behind the fraudulent messages. Additionally, the FRSC advised anyone who receives a suspicious message to preserve it as evidence, avoid further engagement with the sender, and report it through appropriate channels.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
