That Official-Looking SMS Could Be a Trap – Verify Before You Act on It

You receive a text message saying you have committed a traffic offence and need to pay a fine. It mentions the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and provides a link to review the offence.

Your first reaction may be to click the link and find out what happened.

But that is exactly what the scammers want you to do.

FRSC recently warned Nigerians about fraudulent traffic violation SMS messages directing motorists to a fake website and advised the public not to click the links or provide personal or financial information.

How the Scam Works

The message is designed to create concern and urgency. You are told you have committed an offence, and a convenient link is provided for you to check the details.

Clicking the link takes you to a fake website impersonating FRSC, where the attackers attempt to obtain sensitive personal or financial information.

The message looks official, but looking official does not make it genuine.

Check the Link Before You Click

In this particular scam, the difference can be seen in the website address:

Fake: frscgov.top/ng
Official: frsc.gov.ng

Before clicking a link, look out for:

• Misspelled or slightly altered website names.
• Unusual domain endings such as .top.
• Extra words, numbers or characters in the address.
• Shortened or unfamiliar links.
• Requests for passwords, OTPs, PINs or card information.

Remember, HTTPS or a padlock does not prove that a website is legitimate. Phishing websites can also use HTTPS.

What Should You Do?

If you receive an unexpected fine, payment request or similar message:

• Don’t click the link immediately.
• Check the website address carefully.
• Visit the organisation’s official website independently.
• Verify the notice through a known official channel.
• Never provide passwords, OTPs, PINs or card details through a suspicious link.
• If you have already provided banking information, contact your bank immediately.

Remember

Today, the message is about a traffic violation. Tomorrow, it could be about your bank account, a delivery, an unpaid bill or even a workplace request.

An official-looking message is not proof that it is genuine.

Stop, check and verify — before you click or pay.

🔐 CyberDesk – Protecting Our Digital Workplace