Online Traffic Fine Scammers Cash in as Government Delays Digital Rollout

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South African motorists are being warned to stay vigilant as online traffic fine scams continue to rise, exploiting delays in the government’s digital rollout of the AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) system.

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) spokesperson Monde Mkalipi told Newzroom Afrika that electronic service of AARTO documents will only begin on 1 December 2025. Until then, any emailed fines or third-party online platforms requesting payment are likely fraudulent.

“We receive calls from road users who say they’ve made payments to resolve their auto fines, but when they went to renew their driving licences or licence discs, they were told that they are still owing,” said Mkalipi.

Currently, the RTIA serves AARTO fines via registered mail through the South African Post Office or personal delivery. Motorists are urged to contact the RTIA if they receive emailed fines and to only use official payment platforms. Red flags include messages sent at odd hours, notices without photos of the vehicle, or requests to pay outside official channels.

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Read | RTIA Shifts AARTO Launch to December

Criminal defence attorney William Booth added that while some third-party platforms may be legitimate, many provide inaccurate or bogus information. “You could end up paying money you don’t have to,” he warned, noting that scammers often impersonate official platforms or inflate fines to earn commissions.

Driving.co.za managing director Rob Handfield-Jones criticised the outsourcing of fine collection to private companies, calling it “bizarre.” He said profit-driven systems in law enforcement encourage fraud rather than compliance and argued that the eNatis portal should be the only official channel for paying fines or renewing licences, with third-party access strictly limited to essential services like roadworthy testing stations or vehicle finance companies.

Motorists are urged to verify any fine notices with the RTIA and only pay through official government channels. The current slow rollout of the digital AARTO system has created an environment that scammers are exploiting, putting drivers at financial risk.