May 28, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have issued an urgent warning to the public following the emergence of a sophisticated online scam involving fraudulent traffic fine notifications distributed through SMS and WhatsApp messages.
According to the Police Media Division, numerous individuals across the country have recently reported receiving messages from unfamiliar mobile numbers claiming to represent the Sri Lanka Police. The messages falsely inform recipients that they have violated traffic regulations captured through CCTV surveillance systems and instruct them to make immediate online payments to avoid further legal action.
Investigators say the scam directs unsuspecting users to a counterfeit website designed to closely imitate the government’s official digital payment platform, GovPay. Authorities revealed that the fake portal is being used by cybercriminals to collect sensitive personal information, including bank account and credit card details, from victims attempting to pay the alleged fines.
Police officials warned that the fraudulent campaign has not only placed the public at financial risk but has also harmed the credibility and public confidence associated with official law enforcement communication channels.
Authorities stressed that under the current legal procedure, traffic violations are not settled through unsolicited digital messages. Instead, motorists are first informed directly by a police officer regarding any offence, after which an official fine slip is issued if the driver acknowledges the violation through the authorised GovPay process.
Cybercrime investigators believe the scam may be part of a wider organised operation targeting mobile phone users through phishing techniques and fake government branding. The public has therefore been strongly advised not to click on suspicious links received via text messages or social media applications, particularly those requesting financial information or urgent payments.
Sri Lanka Police further urged citizens to verify all traffic-related notices through official channels and to make payments only after receiving authorised documentation from recognised law enforcement officers.
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