Hong Kong Police have issued an urgent alert about counterfeit websites and SMS messages masquerading as the government’s “e-Traffic Ticket Platform”. The fraudsters promise discounts for early fine payment and then harvest victims’ credit-card details and identity numbers. The real platform never offers fee reductions and does not embed hyperlinks in its messages. Although primarily targeting local motorists, the scam may also ensnare business visitors who rent cars or receive traffic tickets while driving cross-border vehicles. The police advise checking any penalty-notice details directly on the official *.gov.hk* domain or calling the hotline 181 181. Phishing has spiked alongside the resumption of inbound tourism; cyber-crime cases tied to fake government payment sites rose 42 per cent in the first nine months of 2026. Mobility managers should remind overseas assignees that legitimate Hong Kong authorities never ask for credit-card data via third-party links. Anyone who has entered information on the bogus sites should contact the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre at 18222 immediately.
