Sri Lanka Police has warned the public about a financial scam being carried out using the name “Gov Pay.”
According to police, scammers are falsely claiming to collect traffic fines supposedly issued through CCTV monitoring systems.
How the Scam Works
Authorities say victims receive:
- SMS messages
- WhatsApp messages
- Messages sent from foreign numbers, including +63 969 216 1720
The messages falsely claim recipients have committed traffic violations and must pay a fine.
Victims are then instructed to:
- Click a payment link
- Visit a website designed to imitate the official government payment platform
- Enter bank card details to complete payment
Police warn that once banking information is entered:
- Scammers may gain access to financial information
- Money can be stolen directly from bank accounts
Warning Signs Identified by Police
Be cautious if you receive:
- Messages from unknown foreign numbers
- Urgent payment requests for traffic fines
- Links asking for card information
- Messages threatening penalties if payment is delayed
Safety Advice From Authorities
Police urged the public to:
✅ Do not click suspicious links
✅ Do not enter banking details on unfamiliar websites
✅ Verify payment requests through official government channels
✅ Ignore unsolicited WhatsApp or SMS messages requesting money
✅ Report suspicious activity to authorities immediately
Authorities emphasized that fraudsters increasingly create fake websites that closely resemble official services, making verification especially important before making payments.
