Unveiled as a counterfeit, this Malaga city parking ticket is revealed to be a deceitful forgery
In Malaga, Spain, a concerning scam has been actively circulating, involving counterfeit parking and traffic fines that impersonate the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) and the Ministry of the Interior logos [1]. These fake documents, which appear to be parking fines, are designed to deceive victims into paying bogus penalties.
One of the easiest ways to identify these fraudulent documents is by noting several key discrepancies from genuine official fines. For instance, they often lack essential information typically found on real forms, such as the police officer's identification number, the exact location where the supposed offence occurred, and vehicle details [1].
Another red flag is the fine amounts shown, which do not match official rates for specific traffic violations [1]. Furthermore, the QR codes redirect to unauthentic websites rather than official government pages [1].
If you receive a parking or traffic fine that seems suspicious, it's crucial to report it. You can do so by calling the Local Police of Malaga's designated numbers: 951 926 010 or 010 [1]. These lines are available for fine verification and reporting fraudulent documents.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, as these scams attempt to exploit the legitimacy of official logos to swindle victims [1]. No credible recent reports suggest the scam has been stopped, so public awareness and verification remain the best defenses against these fraudulent documents.
It's also important to remember that the DGT communicates traffic offenses only by postal mail or through the Electronic Traffic Direction, an "electronic mailbox" where any citizen can register to receive telematic notifications [1]. The DGT does not send SMS messages to pay parking or speeding fines.
The technique used in this scam is known as 'phishing', and more information about it can be found on the INCIBE (National Institute of Cybersecurity) website [1]. The DGT offers secure systems to pay fines through several channels, including a web application, the 'miDGT' app, phone, or in person, all requiring identification from the person paying [1].
This is not the first time such scams have been reported. Previously, we've warned about other fraudulent contents that impersonate official state organisms, such as false Barcelona City Hall fines [2].
Stay safe and always verify the authenticity of any official documents before making payments.
[1] Source: Local Police of Malaga statement [2] Source: Previous warnings issued by our website
The average citizen should be aware that the amount of a fine on fraudulent traffic documents may not match official rates for specific violations, serving as a warning sign. In the realm of cybersecurity and general-news, it's crucial to remember that legitimate authorities do not use SMS messages to demand payments for parking or speeding fines. Instead, the DGT communicates offenses only by postal mail or through the Electronic Traffic Direction.
