Ghost Traffic Fines Are Back, Scammers Target South Africans Ahead of AARTO Rollout

South Africans Face New Wave of “Ghost” Traffic Fine Scams

If you’ve ever ignored an SMS about a traffic fine, now is not the time to get caught off guard. A new wave of scams is sweeping across South Africa, exploiting public confusion around the rollout of the AARTO system and motorists are losing thousands to fake fines that don’t exist on any municipal record.

Fines SA says it has recorded a spike in complaints from drivers who thought they were settling their legal fines, only to discover they’d actually paid scammers. The rising trend comes at a time when the country is gearing up for the long-awaited national rollout of AARTO and fraudsters are taking full advantage of the uncertainty.

Mixed Messaging Sparked the Perfect Scam Environment

The rollout dates of AARTO haven’t exactly been smooth sailing. Here’s what caused the chaos:

• Fake reports circulated earlier this year claiming AARTO would launch in June 2025, then October 2025.

• Even the Department of Transport repeated the October date before eventually correcting it.

• The actual rollout starts 1 December 2025 in 69 metro areas.

• Another 144 municipalities follow from 1 April 2026.

• The demerit points system is only due in September 2026.

With the public trying to stay compliant, and misinformation flying around scammers moved in. They began sending out SMSes, WhatsApps and links to cloned websites that look identical to municipal portals.

“They copy the same logos, same tone, same layout, it’s almost impossible to tell at a glance,” says Fines SA CEO Barry Berman. Once a victim pays, the money disappears and the original fine remains unpaid.

How the Scam Works And Why It’s Growing Fast

The typical setup follows a simple playbook:

1. You receive a message claiming you have an overdue fine.

2. You’re warned to “pay immediately to avoid penalties or legal action.”

3. You click the link, which takes you to a duplicate site that looks official.

4. You pay and that money is gone. No fine is actually cleared.

Fraudsters know people are anxious about the incoming demerit system, where unpaid fines could cost drivers their licence points or lead to suspensions.

Add South Africa’s wider surge in digital banking fraud, and this scam has fertile ground.

What’s Changing Under AARTO and Why It Matters

Right now, most fines fall under the Criminal Procedure Act, meaning they’re treated as criminal offences and require court processes. AARTO changes the landscape completely:

• Fines will be “decriminalised” and handled administratively.

• Notices can be served electronically, SMS, email, online portals.

• Ignoring a fine doesn’t mean it disappears. It triggers a three-step system:

1. Infringement Notice
32 days to pay with 50% discount.

2. Courtesy Letter
No discount + administrative fee added.

3. Enforcement Notice
Another fee + (from 2026) demerit points applied.

Once an enforcement notice is active, you can’t renew a licence disc, apply for a PDP, or update any NaTIS documents. And there’s no automatic court date, the responsibility flips to motorists to contest fines or transfer liability.

In short: burying your head in the sand is no longer an option.

Public Reaction: Fear, Frustration and Fatigue

On social media, many South Africans are venting:

“I don’t even know which messages are real anymore. I’m scared of deleting the wrong one.”
“How must we trust anything when even government got the dates wrong?”
“I paid a fine online and it turns out the site wasn’t legit. Now I still owe money.”

With many users already battling spam and banking scams, the rise of ghost fines feels like just another digital trap waiting to be sprung.

So How Do You Stay Safe?

Barry Berman and digital fraud experts recommend one simple rule: never pay from a link sent to you. Instead:

Use official platforms like Fines SA, PayCity, or your municipality’s website (typed manually).
Ignore and delete unsolicited payment links even if they look legit.
Check with your local traffic department before making payment.
Keep records of all legitimate fines you’ve settled.

Bigger Risk Still to Come in 2026

Once the demerit system kicks in, scams could have real licensing consequences. If you pay a fake fine, your money is gone, but the fine stays on record and the demerits still apply.

That could mean:

• Suspended or cancelled licences

• Complications for fleet owners and businesses

• Blocked NaTIS services

• Insurance implications

With many South Africans still unclear on how AARTO works, the timing could not be worse.

Don’t Panic, But Don’t Tap and Pay Either

The public confusion hasn’t stopped, and criminals are banking on people rushing to “clear fines” before the new rules kick in. The best defence right now? Slow down, verify the source, and never click a payment link you didn’t look for yourself.

The rollout of AARTO is meant to bring order, but until communication improves, scammers will keep driving right through the chaos.

{Source: BusinessTech}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com