On Saturday around midday, Dhaka-based office worker Nahiyan Ahmed received a text message on his phone from the number +63 948 931 5208.
The message read: “Fine reference: 2026-BD-47821039V | According to the intelligent video surveillance system, you have violated traffic laws. Your vehicle has been recorded on camera for illegal driving within a designated area. Please log in to the official website and pay the fine before 23 May, 24:00.”
The message also warned that authorities may initiate administrative action, including recovery of unpaid fines and vehicle seizure.
A payment link, https://bspbrtcar-payfeebd.icu, was also included.
Cyber police Sub-Inspector Alok Kumar Biswas warns that accessing such links could be dangerous. He told Times of Bangladesh: “Through phishing links like these, fraudsters can take control of users’ devices.”
Nahiyan said he was initially shocked after receiving the message.
“I stared at it for a while in disbelief because I don’t even own a vehicle. Then I realised it was a scam. But people who do have vehicles could easily be misled. That is the worrying part,” he said.
Since the introduction of an automated traffic enforcement system using artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled CCTV cameras in Dhaka, public anxiety around fines and digital notices has increased. Fraudsters are now exploiting that concern.
Additional Commissioner of the Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Md Anisur Rahman, had earlier assured that confirmed traffic violation cases would not rely solely on mobile messages. Official notices would also be sent to the registered address of the vehicle owner.
He said offenders could appear in person, admit responsibility, and settle fines, with the option to appeal in the Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
On 3 May, DMP issued an official warning urging the public not to pay anyone demanding money in the name of CCTV or video-based traffic violation cases.
The notice cautioned citizens against making financial transactions with individuals or groups claiming to represent such enforcement actions.
Sub-Inspector Alok Kumar Biswas said government numbers and fraudulent ones usually show identifiable differences.
“Government numbers and those used by fraudsters usually have some differences. If there are extra zeros before a number, a plus (+) sign, or any unusual formatting, that should be treated as a red flag,” he said.
He advised citizens to verify such messages by calling 999 and to report suspicious links or messages to the DB or CID cyber units for investigation.
Dhaka University computer science and engineering professor Md Mustafizur Rahman said clearer public communication is needed around AI-based traffic enforcement.
He said fraudsters are creating fake websites closely resembling official portals, sometimes differing by only a few characters, making them difficult to detect.
He suggested linking vehicle registration or driving licences with dedicated bank accounts to reduce reliance on open online payment systems and lower the risk of fraud.
