Fraudulent 150-euro fines circulating in Lučenec district, police warn of scam
The Regional Police Headquarters in Banská Bystrica is alerting the public to fraudulent documents mimicking official fines for speeding. Payments are directed to a Lithuanian IBAN held in the name of a private individual.
False speeding fine decisions: what to watch for
Fraudsters are distributing letters that at first glance appear to be official police decisions imposing a fine of 150 euros for exceeding the speed limit. The Regional Headquarters of the Police Force in Banská Bystrica has recorded the first cases in Lučenec district, rimava.sk reports.
The documents contain a state emblem, the designation of a police unit, a file number, references to laws and a detailed description of the alleged offence. "At first glance, they can appear credible," the police state.
Despite sophisticated graphic design, the letters contain several specific discrepancies. The most prominent warning signal is the recipient's bank account: an IBAN beginning with the letters LT denoting Lithuania, and the payee is a private individual rather than a state institution. Additionally, the documents lack the name of the specific police officer who was supposed to issue the decision, and similarly lack telephone numbers or other contact details for verifying authenticity.
The foreign account alone does not automatically prove fraud, but combined with other discrepancies, it represents a serious reason for heightened caution.
The police recommend not sending money before a citizen verifies the authenticity of the decision. In case of doubt, one should contact the police unit listed in the document directly—however, contact details should be found independently through official sources, not from the delivered letter.
"Do not be fooled by the state emblem, official title or paragraphs. Fraudsters can easily copy this information as well," police warn.
In this case, fraudsters are not using telephone calls or SMS messages, but a written document mimicking an official decision. "Their goal is simple—to persuade you that you must pay a fine and thereby obtain your money," police point out.
If you have already paid the amount, police recommend contacting your bank immediately and reporting the case to police. A quick response increases the chances of stopping or recovering the funds, although recovering them is not guaranteed.
Police are also urging the public to inform those close to them about the scam—particularly those who have not yet encountered such activity.
Source: Google News SK — Crime (sk)