The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has alerted the public, particularly motorists, to a fraudulent scheme involving unsolicited text messages purportedly from the Corps, notifying recipients of alleged “new road traffic offence records” requiring immediate action.
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 FRSC.
One of the links being circulated is “http://frscgov.top/ng”, which is not affiliated with the FRSC.
The Corps unequivocally disowned the messages and the website, stressing that members of the public should not regard such communications as originating from the FRSC.
The fraudulent message typically creates a sense of urgency by informing the recipient that a new traffic offence has been recorded against them and inviting them to click a link to “review the relevant details.” The Corps warned that such links may be intended to harvest personal information, financial details or other sensitive data from unsuspecting victims.
"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," FRSC Public Relations Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, said in a statement on Wednesday.
Members of the public who receive these messages are advised to preserve the evidence, avoid further engagement with the sender and report the matter through appropriate channels.
"For the avoidance of doubt, motorists are advised to verify any alleged traffic offence directly through official FRSC channels and not through links contained in unsolicited messages. The Corps maintains official digital platforms for its services, while its published contact channels include the national toll-free line 122 and the official FRSC website, http://frsc.gov.ng.
"The Corps further warns individuals and criminal elements behind the scheme that the identity, name, insignia, digital platforms and institutional credibility of the Federal Road Safety Corps are not instruments for criminal exploitation. The deliberate impersonation of FRSC personnel and the deployment of counterfeit digital platforms to deceive motorists constitute matters of serious concern, and the Corps will work with relevant law-enforcement and cybersecurity authorities to pursue appropriate action against those responsible.
"The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni, has consequently directed that the public be adequately sensitised to the fraudulent scheme, while urging motorists to exercise vigilance in their online engagements. He stressed that the Corps remains committed to protecting the integrity of its digital systems and ensuring that technology deployed for road safety administration is not exploited by fraudsters to deceive or extort members of the public.
"He therefore calls on Nigerians to “STOP. VERIFY. REPORT.” Any message claiming to be from the Corps should first be verified through the official FRSC website and established communication channels. Members of the public are also encouraged to share this alert widely to prevent unsuspecting motorists from falling victim to the scam, as the Corps will not be responsible for losses arising from engagement with unauthorised websites, links or individuals falsely presenting themselves as representatives of the Corps," Ohaeri said.
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