International Fraud Ring Posing as Israeli Police Exposed

A sophisticated international fraud network is operating in Israel, targeting citizens with fake traffic tickets and other demands, according to a new study by cybersecurity firm ReasonLabs. The scheme involves sending text messages to mobile phones, claiming recipients owe unpaid traffic fines and must pay within 24 hours to avoid legal action. These messages often originate from numbers in India and Uruguay.

The fraudulent messages direct users to a fake payment website designed to mimic the official Israeli Police traffic fine payment service. Researchers found that these fake sites not only replicate the appearance of official government portals but also incorporate technical elements copied from the genuine sites, making them appear legitimate. Victims are then prompted to enter their credit card details and one-time verification codes, which can be used by criminals for unauthorized transactions.

The ReasonLabs study, conducted by the company's Mozo team, uncovered a link between this activity in Israel and similar campaigns in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. In those instances, fraudsters impersonate tax authorities, shipping companies, and toll road operators.

Investigators identified over 750 malicious internet addresses associated with the broader fraud network, including three specifically used to impersonate Israeli authorities. These three Israeli sites were registered and activated on the same day in September 2026, highlighting the criminals' ability to quickly deploy and replace fake websites before security systems can detect them.

This is not the first time Israeli authorities have warned about such scams. In May, the Israel Police cautioned the public about text messages impersonating the National Center for Fine Collection and the National Center for Driver Inquiries. However, the current research is the first to identify a shared infrastructure connecting these scams in Israel to operations in other nations.

The National Cyber Directorate advises the public not to click on suspicious links in text messages, even if they appear to be from official sources. For traffic fines, individuals should independently visit the official gov.il website to verify any debts. Those who suspect they have encountered a scam should report it to the National Cyber Directorate's hotline at 119. Victims who have already provided credit card information should immediately contact their bank or credit card company.