Do Not Click These Links! 'Speed Fine' Messages May Steal Your Money Immediately

The Internal Security Forces General Directorate renews its warning to citizens regarding fraudulent text messages (SMS) that impersonate the Directorate. These messages contain fake notifications about speeding violations and financial fines, accompanied by electronic links aimed at seizing banking data and verification codes (OTP), or using them for other fraudulent purposes.

Scammers urge citizens to pay the fines within a 24-hour period, in exchange for an alleged 50% discount, while threatening additional penalties if payment is delayed. It should be noted that these penalties are not stipulated in the Lebanese Traffic Law.

Today, as well as during the past two days, several citizens received fraudulent text messages (SMS) claiming that speeding violations were detected via intelligent traffic monitoring systems. The messages demand the payment of financial fines within a specific deadline (within a few days) in exchange for an alleged discount, threatening additional fines and legal measures that could lead to the revocation of driving licenses if payment is not made. Additionally, some citizens received messages giving them a final deadline to pay the fine at the reduced value by November 3, 2026.

These messages include requests for citizens to access suspicious electronic links attached to the message to view violation details or pay fines. They also demand replies with the Latin letter “Y” or the word “Yes,” and reopening the message, in an attempt to lure victims and seize their personal and banking data and verification codes (OTP).

The General Directorate confirms that these messages do not originate from it. Traffic violation notices are sent through Liban Post and OMT companies, and there is currently no means to pay fines electronically. The electronic links contained in the sent text messages are fake and aim to commit fraud.

Therefore, the General Directorate asks citizens not to click on these links, enter their banking data, disclose their card numbers and verification codes (OTP), or reply to or interact with these messages. It is necessary to report them.

The golden rule is that citizens must constantly verify the authenticity of any notice by directly checking the official website of the entity claimed to have issued the message.

The matter is under follow-up and investigation.