The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned Nigerians against fraudulent text messages claiming that recipients have committed new traffic offences and directing them to a fake website to view or settle the alleged violations.

The Corps said the messages, which are being circulated through mobile phones and social media platforms, do not originate from the FRSC and may expose unsuspecting motorists to fraud or theft of personal and financial information.

FRSC Public Education Officer Osondu Ohaeri said in a statement on Wednesday that the messages typically create a sense of urgency by informing recipients that a new road traffic offence has been recorded against them and providing a link where they are told to review details.

The Corps specifically disowned the website frscgov.top/ng, saying it has no affiliation with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

FRSC warned members of the public not to click suspicious links, make payments or provide banking information, passwords, card details, driver's licence information, vehicle registration details or other personal data through such messages.

The warning comes amid increasing use of phishing messages in which fraudsters impersonate recognised institutions and direct victims to websites designed to resemble legitimate government or corporate platforms.

The official FRSC website uses the frsc.gov.ng domain. The Corps' website also provides verified contact channels, including its 122 toll-free emergency number and official email address for members of the public seeking clarification.

Official FRSC documents also show that when a motorist is legitimately booked for a road traffic offence, the person is issued a notice of offence sheet, with prescribed fines payable through approved channels, including the Federal Government's Remita payment platform.

The Corps has previously stressed that motorists should not make informal payments for traffic offences to officers at patrol points.

FRSC advised motorists who receive suspicious traffic-offence messages to avoid responding through links contained in the SMS and instead verify any claim using the Corps' official channels.

The agency also urged Nigerians to pay close attention to website addresses before providing personal information online, particularly where a message demands immediate payment or threatens penalties if the recipient fails to act within a short period.

The latest alert means motorists who receive an SMS claiming that FRSC has recorded a traffic violation against them should not assume the message is genuine merely because it carries the agency's name or logo.

Recipients can contact FRSC directly through its official website, frsc.gov.ng, or call 122 for verification and enquiries.