Motorists Alerted to Fake Traffic Offence Messages in Emerging Scam

An Abuja-based lawyer, Usman A. Lanase Esq., has raised an alarm over a suspected scam targeting motorists in the Federal Capital Territory through fraudulent messages alleging traffic violations and demanding payment of fines.

Lanase disclosed his experience in a statement shared on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, explaining that he received a text message while travelling to his office which purportedly notified him of a newly recorded road traffic offence. The message reportedly appeared to have been connected to the Federal High Court.

According to the lawyer, the message immediately caught his attention because he could not recall committing any traffic violation. He particularly noted that he had not been stopped by an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) or informed of any speeding offence at the time.

Seeking to establish whether the alleged offence was genuine, Lanase clicked on a link contained in the message. He said the page subsequently informed him that he had allegedly exceeded the speed limit on a public highway, recording his speed as 92 kilometres per hour.

The alleged offence came with a purported N5,000 penalty, according to Lanase. Although the relatively small amount initially made him consider paying the fine, he said further reflection led him to question the authenticity of the allegation, particularly because he maintained that he had not been speeding.

Lanase said he decided not to proceed with the payment immediately. His caution subsequently appeared justified when he encountered posts on X from other Nigerians describing similar messages as part of what they identified as a new scam targeting motorists.

The lawyer subsequently warned that unsuspecting motorists could potentially lose money if they responded to such messages without first verifying the alleged offence through legitimate channels. His account highlights the risks associated with clicking links or making payments based solely on unsolicited traffic violation notifications.

Lanase also called for relevant authorities to investigate the matter. He specifically urged the FRSC to work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to establish the identity of those behind the suspected fraudulent activity and determine whether other motorists had already been defrauded.

The incident also underscores the importance of independently verifying purported government communications before making payments or submitting personal information online. Motorists who receive unexpected notices alleging traffic offences can verify the claim through official government channels rather than relying solely on links supplied in unsolicited messages.

Lanase’s warning comes amid continuing concerns over digital fraud in Nigeria, where criminals frequently exploit the names and identities of legitimate institutions to make fraudulent communications appear credible. His experience demonstrates how seemingly routine notifications about traffic violations can potentially be used to deceive recipients.

For Abuja motorists, the immediate lesson from the reported incident is to exercise caution when receiving unexpected traffic-fine messages, particularly those containing payment links. Until the relevant authorities establish the origin and authenticity of the messages described by Lanase, motorists should independently verify alleged offences before making any payment or providing sensitive information.