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By Beifoh Osewele
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has raised the alarm over a nationwide scam in which fraudsters send motorists fake traffic offence notices and direct them to a cloned website in an attempt to steal their personal and financial information.
The Corps specifically disowned text messages informing recipients that they had committed “new road traffic offences” and directing them to a website identified as “frscgov.top/ng” to purportedly review details of the alleged violations.
In a statement yesterday, Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, said the website had no connection with the FRSC and warned motorists against clicking on suspicious links, making payments or disclosing their banking and other personal information.
According to the Corps, the fraudulent messages, being circulated through mobile phones and social media platforms, were designed to create a sense of urgency by informing recipients that traffic offences had been recorded against them and that immediate action was required.
It warned that the links could be used to harvest victims’ banking information, passwords, card details, driver’s licence information, vehicle registration details and other sensitive data.
“The Corps, therefore, unequivocally disowns the messages and the website, stressing that members of the public should not regard such communications as originating from FRSC,” the statement said.
FRSC advised motorists who receive the messages not to engage the senders, but to preserve the messages as evidence and report them through appropriate channels.
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It stressed that motorists should verify alleged traffic offences only through its authorised platforms and established communication channels, including its national toll-free line, 122.
The Corps also issued a stern warning to those behind the scam, declaring that anyone using its name, insignia or digital identity to defraud motorists would be tracked down and made to face the law.
It said the creation of fake FRSC websites and impersonation of its personnel were serious offences, adding that it would work with law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies to identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has consequently directed intensified public sensitisation on the scam and urged motorists to exercise caution in their online engagements.
Mohammed said the Corps remained committed to protecting the integrity of its digital systems and preventing fraudsters from exploiting technology deployed for road safety administration to deceive or extort Nigerians.
He urged motorists to adopt the principle, “STOP. VERIFY. REPORT,” by independently verifying any message purportedly originating from the FRSC before taking action.
The Corps also urged Nigerians to circulate the warning to prevent more motorists from falling victim to the scam.
