FRSC warns motorists against fake traffic offence SMS

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The Federal Road Safety Corps has warned motorists and members of the public against fraudulent text messages notifying recipients of alleged new road traffic offences and directing them to a fake website.

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The Corps, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, said the messages were being circulated through mobile devices and social media platforms.

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According to the statement, the messages direct unsuspecting recipients to a deceptive website designed to impersonate the digital identity of the FRSC.

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The Corps specifically identified the website as fake, stressing that it had no affiliation with the agency.

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The statement read, “The Federal Road Safety Corps alerts the entire community of the public, particularly motorists, to a fraudulent scheme involving the circulation of unsolicited text messages purportedly issued by the Corps and notifying recipients of alleged ‘new road traffic offence records’ requiring immediate action.

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“The fraudulent messages, which are being circulated through mobile devices and social-media platforms, direct unsuspecting members of the public to a deceptive website designed to impersonate the digital identity of the Federal Road Safety Corps.”

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The FRSC asked motorists to verify any alleged traffic offence through its official channels rather than links contained in unsolicited messages.

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It warned that the fraudulent messages were designed to create a sense of urgency by claiming that a traffic offence had been recorded against the recipient and asking them to click a link to review the details.

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The Corps cautioned that such links could be used to obtain personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.

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It advised members of the public not to click on suspicious links or disclose banking information, passwords, card details, driver’s licence information, vehicle registration details or other sensitive data in response to such messages.

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The FRSC urged anyone who received the messages to preserve the evidence, avoid further communication with the sender and report the matter through appropriate channels.

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The Corps also reminded motorists that its official contact channels include the national toll-free number 122 and its website.

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The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, directed that members of the public be adequately sensitised about the scam and urged motorists to exercise caution when engaging with online messages purportedly from the agency.

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He called on Nigerians to “stop, verify, report,” urging them to verify messages claiming to be from the FRSC through the agency’s official website and established communication channels.

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The Corps further warned those behind the scheme against using its name, insignia and digital platforms to defraud members of the public, adding that it would work with relevant law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities to pursue those responsible.

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