South African motorists are being warned about a scam using fake AARTO fines to demand payments. Fraudsters send messages via websites, SMSes, WhatsApp and email claiming people have outstanding AARTO penalties and urging them to pay urgently, including demands for R250.
The scam is also described as offering misleading discounts to encourage victims to act quickly. Authorities and consumer-safety sources say motorists should treat these communications cautiously, verify any alleged fines through official channels and avoid making payments based solely on unsolicited messages.
While outlets largely focus on warning residents about the channels used and the payment instructions included in the fraudulent messages, they do not present a single confirmed source of the scam or details on arrests. The shared emphasis is on prevention: confirming the legitimacy of any notice and refusing to engage with links or payment requests received informally.
