Sri Lanka Police have warned motorists about a scam involving fraudulent messages that falsely claim to be from the Traffic Police and demand online payment of fines for alleged traffic offences.
DIG Senadheera of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Range said messages are being circulated informing recipients that they have committed traffic violations and must pay the relevant fines online within a specified period.
The messages reportedly threaten recipients with increased fines and legal action if payment is not made within a few days.
Those targeted are then directed to fake websites where they are asked to provide personal information and bank card details. Police said they have received complaints from individuals who entered their banking information through such links and subsequently lost money from their accounts.
DIG Senadheera stressed that the Sri Lanka Traffic Police does not send messages directing motorists to websites to settle traffic fines.
He said GovPay is currently the only authorised online mechanism for paying traffic fines, with motorists required to use the information provided by a police officer at the time the traffic offence is recorded.
“There is no separate website to pay traffic fines sent by the Sri Lanka Traffic Police,” the DIG said.
Police urged the public not to click on suspicious links or disclose banking details, passwords or other confidential information in response to unsolicited messages.
Anyone who has fallen victim to the scam has been advised to lodge a complaint with the nearest police station for investigation.
