Ministry of Public Security warns of traffic fine SMS scams

The Ministry of Public Security has issued a warning regarding a new SMS phishing scam where criminals impersonate police and traffic officers. Scammers send messages claiming that a vehicle has committed a traffic violation and has an outstanding fine.

To create a sense of urgency, these fraudulent messages often promise a 50% discount for early payment or threaten increased fines if the matter is not resolved within a short timeframe, such as 48 hours. The messages contain links to websites designed to mimic official government portals.

Once victims access these sites, they are prompted to enter personal information or vehicle details. The scam then escalates to requesting bank account logins, card information, passwords, or OTP codes, with the ultimate goal of stealing funds from the victims' accounts. Authorities advise citizens not to pay fines or provide sensitive banking information through links received via SMS.