The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned motorists and members of the public against fraudulent text messages and a fake website being used to impersonate the Corps and deceive people over alleged new road traffic offences.
A statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, said that the scam involves unsolicited SMS messages purportedly sent by FRSC, informing recipients that new “road traffic offence records” had been recorded against them and urging them to take immediate action.
According to FRSC, the messages are being circulated through mobile devices and social media platforms, with recipients directed to a deceptive website designed to impersonate the digital identity of the Corps.
One of the links being circulated is “frscgov.top/ng”, which FRSC said has no affiliation with the Corps.
The agency stated that its official website is frsc.gov.ng, while its verified online platforms and services are hosted through authorised FRSC digital channels.
“The Corps therefore unequivocally disowns the messages and the website, stressing that members of the public should not regard such communications as originating from FRSC,” the statement said.
FRSC said the fraudulent messages are designed to create a sense of urgency by telling recipients that a new traffic offence has been recorded against them and asking them to click on a link to “review the relevant details.”
The Corps warned that such links may be intended to obtain personal information, financial details and other sensitive data from unsuspecting members of the public.
It advised Nigerians not to click on suspicious links or make payments in response to such messages.
“FRSC wishes to make it clear that no member of the public should click on suspicious links, make payments, disclose banking information, passwords, card details, driver’s licence information, vehicle registration details or other personal information in response to such messages,” the statement added.
Those who receive the messages were advised to preserve the evidence, avoid further communication with the sender and report the matter through appropriate channels.
The Corps also urged motorists to verify any alleged traffic offence directly through official FRSC channels rather than using links contained in unsolicited messages.
FRSC said it maintains official digital platforms for its services, while its published contact channels include the national toll-free line and its official website.
The Corps further warned the individuals and criminal elements behind the scheme against using the identity, name, insignia, digital platforms and institutional credibility of FRSC for criminal purposes.
It said the deliberate impersonation of FRSC personnel and the use of counterfeit digital platforms to deceive motorists were matters of serious concern.
The Corps added that it would work with relevant law-enforcement and cybersecurity authorities to pursue appropriate action against those responsible for the scheme.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has directed that members of the public be adequately sensitised about the fraudulent scheme.
He also urged motorists to remain vigilant in their online activities, stressing the need to protect the integrity of the Corps’ digital systems and ensure that technology deployed for road safety administration is not exploited by fraudsters to deceive or extort members of the public.
He therefore called on Nigerians to “STOP. VERIFY. REPORT.”
The Corps Marshal urged members of the public to verify any message claiming to be from FRSC through the official website and established communication channels before taking any action.
FRSC stated that it would not be responsible for losses arising from engagement with unauthorised websites, links or individuals falsely presenting themselves as representatives of the Corps.
FRSC warns motorists against fake SMS, website over alleged traffic offences