Greek authorities warn of sophisticated SMS phishing scam exploiting traffic fine fears

Greek authorities have issued warnings about a renewed wave of SMS phishing messages that falsely claim recipients have unpaid traffic fines, utilising convincing tactics and fake websites to extract personal and banking details.

Greek authorities have warned of a renewed SMS phishing campaign that falsely tells recipients they owe traffic fines and must pay quickly through a link. The messages are designed to look official, using convincing language and realistic details to pressure people into acting before they check whether the notice is genuine, according to reports in Greek and regional media.

The scam typically tells the recipient that a road-traffic violation has been recorded and includes a link for more information or immediate payment. Once users click through, they are taken to a fake website built to resemble a public-service portal, where the page may display supposed offence details such as the vehicle’s speed, the limit, the date of the alleged violation, penalty points and the amount owed, the reports said.

The purpose is to make the fake fine appear authentic enough to persuade users to hand over personal and banking information. In Greece, the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Hellenic Police have both warned that legitimate public bodies do not issue fines solely by SMS and do not ask citizens to pay through suspicious links, according to local reports.

Officials have urged the public to verify any such message through official channels and to avoid opening unfamiliar links or entering sensitive data. The latest wave of messages appears to exploit the urgency associated with fines, using a claimed discount, in some cases as much as 50%, to encourage immediate payment before the target has time to inspect the notice more carefully.