In the past few days, mobile phone users in Serbia have been receiving SMS messages about the fact that they have outstanding fines for traffic violations, and the authorities warn that it is about fraud and ask citizens not to open the messages.
The number from which the message comes comes from the Philippines, and the message requests that obligations be settled urgently, since the "Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Serbia" will begin "execution of punitive measures" from January 13.
Settlement of obligations is required by January 12, otherwise, according to the message, the violation will be entered into the Ministry of Transportation's database of violations, the authority to register the vehicle will be suspended, the driver's license will cease to be valid for 30 days, the case will be handed over to a collection agency, and court proceedings and credit ratings may be affected.
All this is stated in the message, which includes a link through which the fine can be paid. The link is obviously a scam, as is the number from which the message arrives, and it states: to begin with, Serbia does not have a Ministry of Transport.
Photo: TimeMessage content
Roads of Serbia: Do not open such messages
Public company "Roads of Serbia” warned citizens again on Friday (January 9) not to open SMS messages about alleged traffic violations, stating that it was misuse.
That company stated in a statement that citizens continue to receive malicious SMS messages due to alleged speeding, unpaid tolls or other traffic violations.
"Do not open the link and do not enter data from your payment card because it is a matter of abuse," the statement added.
A message with the same content, only in a different language, from a number that has the same code as the country it comes from, arrived during the summer of 2025, for example, to users in the United States of America.
How to recognize fake SMS messages
This is one of a series of frauds that have recently reached the citizens of Serbia.
Such messages are often poorly written, with grammatical errors, illogical wording and non-existent legal articles.
The messages mention short deadlines, high additional fees and serious consequences such as legal or credit records.
Despite all that, it's not uncommon for people to click on links, and all of that can create complications.
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