Phishing Trap in the Name of Traffic Fines!
AI traffic enforcement has reached the capital, with drivers now stopping at signals as soon as they spot cameras amid fears of automated fines. — Mohubar Rahman, Karwan Bazar
Drivers on the roads often evade police surveillance using various tactics and avoid filing of cases. Despite years of efforts, road discipline has remained elusive. Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently changed this scenario overnight. With technology-based enforcement systems, traffic signals in many roads of the capital now operate without human traffic control. However, fraudsters have turned this very system into a tool for scams, siphoning off money in the name of AI-based fines.
The method of this fraud became clear from the account of a victim. As the last light of the afternoon faded and evening approached, Jihan (pseudonym) was spending time with friends at Rabindra Sarobor in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area. Suddenly, his mobile phone rang with a faint notification sound. That small sound changed the moment entirely. An SMS arrived from the number +639489315208. It stated: “Fine No: 2026-BD-56123045T. According to the Automated Traffic Monitoring System (Camera No: TR-772), your vehicle has violated the prescribed speed limit.
If the fine is not paid within the specified time, your violation record will be added to the national database and you will face legal consequences. Please pay the fine through the official website before midnight on 24 May.” Jihan received the SMS on Saturday.
Investigations revealed that Jihan is not the only victim. Many others have also received similar SMS messages asking them to pay AI-based traffic fines through a provided website link. In this way, scammers are siphoning money. A single wrong click is putting many people at risk and exposing banking and personal information.
Authorities have warned that accessing such links can be dangerous. Through phishing links, fraudsters can gain control over a user’s device. Police have urged citizens not to share PIN codes, passwords, or OTPs under any circumstances.
It has been learned that the traffic division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sends SMS notifications for AI-based traffic violation cases when vehicles break traffic laws at various points in the capital. However, fraud groups are exploiting this system by sending fake AI fine messages to individuals’ phones.
Victim Jihan said his personal car had been parked in a garage for a week, so he ignored the message. However, many of his acquaintances have already fallen into the trap of such SMS fraud.
Cybercrime officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said fraudsters have adopted a new tactic involving AI cases. They are sending phishing links using a fake website, bspbrtcar-govbd.online, to deceive people.
They clarified that the website is fake, noting that all government websites in Bangladesh use the ‘.gov.bd’ domain. Any domain such as ‘.online’ or other foreign domains cannot be considered official. They also said government notices are never sent from foreign numbers. The presence of “gov.bd” alone does not confirm authenticity. Cyber officials urged people to verify information through official websites or government hotlines. They warned that a single click can put a citizen’s bank account, personal information, and digital security at risk.
The DMP stated that SMS notifications related to AI-based traffic cases are sent only from the numbers 01320-042207 and 01320-042227. Any message from other numbers should be considered fake.
The police also explained the process for resolving AI-related traffic cases. A DMP notice issued on Monday said that recently citizens have been receiving SMS messages on social media regarding traffic fine collection in Dhaka Metropolitan Police areas. It clarified that these messages are completely false and fabricated.
The DMP traffic division follows a structured process for resolving AI and video-based cases. In cases of violations of the Road Transport Act 2018, a signed notice from the responsible officer of the concerned traffic technical unit is sent to the address of the accused vehicle owner. Fines can be paid online through banking platforms such as bKash-type systems and CBBL.
The DMP traffic division never asks for PIN codes, passwords, or OTPs. For any information related to traffic AI or video cases, citizens are advised to contact Delta-3 at 01320-042207 and 01320-042227, or dial 999.
After the introduction of AI-based CCTV systems that capture video and still images to automatically generate traffic cases for violations in Dhaka, public concern over fines and notices has increased. Fraudsters have exploited this fear.
DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Anisur Rahman had earlier assured that confirmed cases would not only be sent via mobile messages but also through written notices to the vehicle owner’s address. He also said offenders can appear in person to accept liability and pay fines to settle cases, with the option to appeal in the Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
