Police Force warns over fake traffic ticket message scam

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a warning to members of the public about a traffic ticket scam that is currently circulating, involving fake text messages purporting to be official traffic fine notices issued by the GPF. Scores of persons have complained about receiving the fake messages via text messages to their phones and emails. The Police Force said the scam messages falsely claim that recipients have outstanding traffic fines and threaten legal action, financial penalties, or court proceedings unless payment is made within a specified period. The messages also direct recipients to a fraudulent website and encourage them to provide personal and financial information. However the Guyana Police Force has made it clear that that the messages are 𝐍𝐎𝐓 authentic and 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 originate from the Guyana Police Force. Members of the public are strongly advised 𝐍𝐎𝐓 to click on any suspicious links contained in unsolicited text messages, avoid entering personal, banking, or payment information on unverified websites, and avoid making payments through any website other than the Guyana Police Force's official online payment portal. The Police Force reminded that the only official website of the Guyana Police Force is: www.guyanapoliceforce.gy and 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐌𝐆 and not via card system as this scam is promoting. Persons wishing to verify or pay traffic fines should do so ONLY through the official portal accessible via the Guyana Police Force's website at www.guyanapoliceforce.gy. Anyone who receives one of these fraudulent messages is encouraged to delete the message immediately, report it to the Guyana Police Force and warn family members and friends, particularly elderly and vulnerable persons, who may be targeted by this scam. The Guyana Police Force is actively investigating the matter as it seeks to identify the persons behind the fake messages.