Warning over fake GovPay messages seeking traffic fine payments

The Ministry of Digital Economy has warned the public of a cyber scam involving fraudulent SMS and iMessage notifications falsely claiming to be from the Sri Lanka Police Traffic Division and demanding payment of speeding fines through fake GovPay links.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said the messages circulating among the public were fraudulent and designed to obtain personal and financial information.

He clarified that neither the Ministry nor any other government institution had issued or authorised such notifications requesting payment of traffic fines through links provided in SMS or iMessage messages.

Weeraratne said the official GovPay digital payment system operated only through government-approved and secure channels and did not collect fines through suspicious or foreign website links, including the fraudulent domain lygov.art.

He warned that the scam could trick recipients into disclosing personal information and banking details, potentially allowing fraudsters to gain access to their funds.

The public has been urged not to respond to such messages or click on any links contained in them.

The Ministry also advised citizens to remain vigilant when receiving notifications claiming to be from government or law enforcement institutions and to access government services only through official websites under the gov.lk domain.

Citizens were further urged not to share personal or financial information with unverified third parties.