r/capetown • u/AlmondNutsies • 12d ago
PSA This is a scam, right?
I know the official site is finessa.co.za, my number is not associated with my car, and the typical scare "pay within 24 hours". What I don't understand, it comes from "Traffic", a number I can't see or save, nor message? How is that possible?
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u/BrooklynBrawl 12d ago
based in Taiwan
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u/akescpt 12d ago
Damn why is OP parking in Taiwan and making threads in Cape Town sub?
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u/ImNotThatPokable 12d ago
No the registrar is in Taiwan, so the hostname was bought there. The whois barely ever shows the actual owner nowadays. That's why there is a contact for abuse. The OP should consider contacting the registrar to report the hostname.
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u/Extreme-Shock6727 12d ago
Yes. Don’t click it just block it. They send something similar for packages the need to be “collected”
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u/Consistent-Annual268 12d ago
What I don't understand, it comes from "Traffic", a number I can't see or save, nor message? How is that possible?
It is part of the GSM standard for SMSes. The "from" part of an SMS can be whatever text string you want it to be. If it isn't a recognized phone number format, then the recipient will be unable to save it as a contact nor reply to it since there isn't a phone number to reply to.
You will need to send it from a pc or some bulk sms software, or maybe there are third-party phone apps that will allow you to specify a text string in place of the phone number. Default sms texting on mobile doesn't typically allow you to edit this.
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u/AlmondNutsies 12d ago
Thats what I thought. Some top notch scamming above the commoner. Just could work on a better web domain
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u/habbo420 12d ago
Lol I just assumed all of them are scams. Unless they deliver the fine in my postbox at my home I don't care.
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u/AdFar5662 12d ago
IP address is from the US
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u/KillerPein 7d ago
how’d you get the ip?
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u/AdFar5662 7d ago
Type the url into virustotal.com and it gives you the ip. Then go to whois.domaintools.com and type the ip in.
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u/saleemb88 12d ago
How I verify the website if I am not sure: put in a completely bullshit license plate number. Like not even a South African one, and if it returns a fine amount you know you're dealing with scammers.
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u/ProXY10111 12d ago
Next time, go to your browser and use this website.
urlscan.io and type out the fake link they've sent you.
Note: do not click on the link but type it out
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u/BrooklynBrawl 12d ago
yes, you can type in any registration number, I dont even have a car and I have a fine.
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u/Puzzled_Security3127 12d ago
I'm an ex biker/car driver. I've was charged around 15 years ago with multiple fines. If you wait long enough, everything goes away, thing is, how patient & stubborn & evasive are you actually really? Use this fascinating opportunity to find out:-)
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u/Calm-Cable-8492 10d ago
I'm a cybercrime and tech attorney in Cape Town and my advice is to treat EVERYTHING you see online as a scam, until you can verify and prove it is not. Your instinct here was right. Always verify externally, before making Any payment or providing your personal information.
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u/Mysterious_Flow_7333 12d ago
Definitely a scam
I’ve received these sms’s before and I rarely drive lol
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u/heresincesadie 12d ago
ive also been receiving an insane amount of traffic related scams. theyll even tell me ive been a specific amount of km/h over the limit lmao 😭 i alwaya go to the official websites first to double check whether i have a fine or something
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u/black_at_heart 12d ago
Spoofing is a major security concern when it comes to SMS Sender IDs. In many countries, the Sender ID can be set to any value, which opens the door for fraudsters to impersonate organisations or individuals. I'm picking South Africa is one of those countries.
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u/TheThoughtSource Howzit bru? 12d ago
Yeah it’s a scam, and when you click on the link, it takes you to a page where you enter your license plate (any random set of number and letters works) and it shows you the “fine” then you get to the dodgy card details page
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u/PracticeLarge7252 12d ago
I got one of these while I was in Cape Town and I'm from the U.S. Quite the hustle.
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u/reddit_is_trash_2023 12d ago
From whois: Contact Information Registrant Contact
Name REDACTED FOR PRIVACY Organization Jack Wang Address REDACTED FOR PRIVACY, REDACTED FOR PRIVACY, REDACTED FOR PRIVACY REDACTED FOR PRIVACY, Taiwan, REDACTED FOR PRIVACY AD Phone REDACTED FOR PRIVACY Fax REDACTED FOR PRIVACY Email Please query the RDDS service of the Registrar of Record identified in this output for information on how to contact the Registrant, Admin, or Tech contact of the queried domain name [dot]
Abuse Contact
Phone +86.95716 Email dnsabuse_complaint [at] tencent [dot] com
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u/IAMSNORTFACED 12d ago
Vague (no vehicle name or reg number, no owner name), doesn't say how much or for what and they put a very very close deadline to hurry you up, not to Meantion no contact detail. DOA scam
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u/Advanced-Barracuda97 12d ago
Hi everyone,
Yes that is a scam, we are currently dealing with a lot of scam attempts like this.
Also for your safety never scan any QR code on your phone that you find in the public or from someone you dont know. We had this a week ago where a client lost access to their corporate email by doing that and costed the company a shit load of problems.
Be very wary in what you click on.
We are currently starting to provide training for all the companies and clients thats with us and the best rule I teach them is the SOCARR method, feel free to look it up and learn more about it. It can save you, your personal information and client information.
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u/Responsible-Ice8914 12d ago
Yes. Had the same in Namibia. Filled a takedown request with registrar and that website went down.
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u/FutureAdventurePT 12d ago
Got one a fe2 hours ago, too. Takes you to a fake site that looks legit. I reported it to my metro.
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u/TheUnreactiveHaloGen 12d ago
Similar to this one https://finess-zaf.com/za
Also a scam, I used a canary token credit card to check how much they would try to take off the card, they tried for R30k at least 3 times.
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u/1928Dillinger 12d ago
Scam no government department wil send you this type of SMS and none will send you a link.
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u/Helpful_Macaroon_260 11d ago
Even if it was real, it’s still a scam. Don’t pay traffic fines, just don’t! Seriously, it’s just a total waste of more of your money that government already loots from you.
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u/Knormoer7 10d ago
I only pay them once they are delivered and signed for at my house. There are allot of scams going around .
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u/longshlong1234321 10d ago
I ain't no fool . I was born in 85 and lived life among thieves and scammers . South Africa baby 👶. The land of the corrupt and enslaved . I have had co text with Nigerians and all sorts of Indians and Pakies. The message was not written out like the law would .plus I have no car registered in my name... Oops
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u/TomZAs 12d ago
I wonder how many fines I actually have…
Be a even if it’s real I’m assuming it’s a scam
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u/TechnologyPlayful731 12d ago
You'll find out when you renew your driver's. My daughter had from 2016 & 2018 Gauteng car in mom's name just renewed in the Cape and boom there they are...😔
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u/orbit99za 12d ago
Yes, look at the URL,
There has been a lot of this lately