Cyber scam targets drivers with fake police traffic fine messages

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a sophisticated cyber scam that defrauds drivers of their money and personal information. Scammers send fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages impersonating the Sri Lanka Police, falsely claiming that road CCTV systems detected traffic violations. These messages, sent from fake phone numbers, redirect unsuspecting users to a fraudulent website designed to closely mimic the official government "GovPay" payment portal.

The state cyber security agency warns that individuals who access these malicious links and attempt to pay the fake fines risk exposing credit and debit card information, one-time passwords, National Identity Card details, and other sensitive data to criminals. Official guidelines state that the public must avoid clicking on suspicious message links, verify website authenticity before completing transactions, and refuse to share banking details or security codes with unverified platforms. Authorities emphasize that legitimate traffic fines require official notification and a physical fine sheet from a police officer before any payment undergoes processing via the authentic GovPay system.