FRSC raises alarm over fake traffic offence SMS, website

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has raised the alarm over fraudulent text messages being circulated to motorists and members of the public, notifying them of alleged new traffic offences and directing them to a fake website.

The Corps said the scheme was designed to impersonate its digital identity and could be used to obtain personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC said the messages were being circulated through mobile devices and social media platforms.

According to the Corps, the fraudulent messages claim that a traffic offence has been recorded against the recipient and urge the person to take immediate action by clicking a link to view details of the alleged offence.

The FRSC identified the website linked to the messages as fake, stressing that it has no affiliation with the Corps.

It warned motorists and other members of the public not to click on suspicious links or disclose sensitive information in response to unsolicited messages purportedly from the FRSC.

Such information, the Corps said, includes banking details, passwords, card information, driver’s licence details, vehicle registration information and other personal data.

The FRSC urged motorists who receive such messages to independently verify any alleged traffic offence through its established official communication channels rather than through links provided in the messages.

It also advised recipients to preserve evidence of the fraudulent messages, avoid further communication with the sender and report the incident through appropriate channels.

The Corps reminded members of the public that its official channels include the national toll-free number 122 and its official website.

The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, directed that motorists and other members of the public be adequately sensitised about the scam and urged Nigerians to exercise caution when engaging with online messages claiming to originate from the FRSC.

Mohammed called on Nigerians to “stop, verify, report,” urging motorists to authenticate any message purportedly from the Corps through its official website and established communication channels.

The Corps further warned those behind the scheme against using its name, insignia and digital platforms to defraud members of the public.

It said it would work with relevant law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities to investigate the scheme and pursue those responsible.