The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has formally requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track down the syndicate behind fraudulent No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) text notices that have tricked hundreds of vehicle owners.
MMDA Chairman Romando “Don” Artes met with NBI Director Melvin Matibag after the agency logged over 180 complaints from drivers lured into paying fake traffic fines via malicious SMS links.
Artes explained that the scam messages direct recipients to a phishing portal engineered to closely mirror the official MMDA website. Almost 200 motorists have paid these illegitimate fees despite committing no traffic infractions; the MMDA is currently helping affected drivers secure refunds.
Emphasizing that the agency never embeds payment links in its legitimate SMS advisories nor imposes late payment penalties, Artes urged the public to immediately disregard any texts requesting online settlement. He warned that the fake portal functions as a phishing trap designed to siphon personal details and e-wallet credentials.
The MMDA has partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to take down the fraudulent sites while turning over digital evidence to the NBI.
The NBI Cybercrime Division has formally opened its investigation, with Matibag confirming inter-agency efforts are underway to pinpoint and arrest the perpetrators.