Cyprus Police have warned residents of the island about a new wave of cyber fraud involving fake traffic fine notifications. Scammers are sending messages claiming to be from the Traffic Police, telling recipients they have committed a traffic offence and must urgently pay a fine online.
Law enforcement authorities stress that these notifications have no connection to any government service. Their primary goal is to gain access to users' bank cards, personal information, and financial accounts.
How the Fake Traffic Fine Scam Works
Fraudsters send SMS messages claiming that a traffic violation has been recorded. The message usually includes the amount of the alleged fine along with a link for immediate payment. After clicking the link, users are redirected to a website that closely resembles an official government portal. To make the scam more convincing, criminals use Cyprus Police branding, payment system logos, and website designs similar to genuine government services.
In most cases, victims are asked to pay an out-of-court settlement fine, which is a legitimate system in Cyprus allowing certain traffic offences to be resolved without going to court. The scammers exploit public awareness of this process to make the fraud appear credible. To pressure victims into acting quickly, the messages often warn that the fine will increase if payment is delayed or threaten possible legal consequences.
Why Drivers in Cyprus Continue to Fall for the Scam
Cybersecurity experts note that these fraud campaigns are becoming increasingly sophisticated. While fake messages were once easy to identify due to spelling mistakes and poor formatting, many fraudulent websites today are almost indistinguishable from official government platforms.
Drivers who regularly use their vehicles and are familiar with Cyprus' traffic camera system are particularly vulnerable. After receiving a message about a possible offence, many people assume it is genuine and rush to make the payment without verifying it. The risk is further increased by the fact that scammers now use not only SMS messages but also popular messaging apps, social media platforms, and email. Their aim is to reach as many potential victims as possible through multiple communication channels.
The Official Position of Cyprus Police
Cyprus Police remind the public that they do not send traffic fine notifications via SMS, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, or any other messaging platform. If you receive a message demanding immediate payment or asking you to enter your bank card details, you should immediately treat it as suspicious and verify the information independently.
The Cybercrime Unit strongly advises people not to open suspicious links or submit personal information on unknown websites. Extra caution should be exercised whenever a message creates a sense of urgency or pressure.
How to Check Traffic Fines Safely
Cyprus operates an official online system for checking traffic fines issued by speed and traffic enforcement cameras. To access information, drivers must visit the official government portal and enter their vehicle registration number together with their ID details, ARC number, or company registration information.
Traffic fines should only be paid through official government platforms. Using third-party links received via SMS or messaging applications is unsafe and may result in financial loss. Officials remind the public that government authorities never demand immediate payment through random links and never collect banking information in this manner.
What to Do If You Have Already Entered Your Details
If you have clicked on a suspicious link and entered your bank card details or personal information, you should contact your bank as soon as possible. In many cases, blocking the card immediately can prevent unauthorized transactions.
Afterwards, you should report the incident to the Cyprus Police Cybercrime Unit. Cyprus operates a 24-hour hotline on 1460, as well as a dedicated cybercrime reporting number at +357 22808200. The sooner the incident is reported, the greater the chances of preventing further misuse of the stolen information.
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