The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has raised a public alarm over the circulation of fraudulent vehicle licences following a recent cyber intrusion into its Information Technology systems, with five suspects already arrested in connection with the production and distribution of the fake documents.
The Authority disclosed the development in a Public Notice dated 2nd October 2026, warning vehicle owners, drivers and members of the public to exercise extreme caution when obtaining or verifying vehicle licences and other services purportedly issued by the SLRSA.
According to the Authority, its IT systems recently suffered an unauthorised cyber intrusion, which resulted in the production and circulation of fraudulent vehicle licences. The incident has raised concerns over the integrity of vehicle documentation and the potential implications for road safety, Government revenue and national security.
The SLRSA said investigations into the matter are being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police.
As part of the ongoing investigation, five individuals who are not employees of the SLRSA have been arrested and are currently assisting the police with investigations. The Authority did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide details about the specific methods allegedly used to compromise its systems.
The arrests, however, represent a significant development in efforts to uncover the source of the fraudulent licences and establish the extent of the network involved in their production and circulation.
The SLRSA has urged all vehicle owners and drivers who have concerns about the authenticity of their licences to visit any SLRSA office nationwide and have their documents officially verified.
The Authority stressed that motorists should not rely on individuals, intermediaries or unofficial agents claiming to have the ability to verify, renew or process vehicle licences on behalf of the SLRSA.
It also reminded the public that the SLRSA is a public institution distinct from insurance companies and other insurance service providers. The clarification comes amid concerns that some individuals may be exploiting public confusion over the roles of the SLRSA and private insurance operators to conduct fraudulent transactions.
“Members of the public are advised to verify the identity and official status of anyone claiming to represent the SLRSA before conducting any transaction or providing personal information or making any payment,” the Authority stated.
The SLRSA further warned motorists against patronising unauthorised individuals, agents or intermediaries who offer to process licences or other SLRSA-related services outside the Authority’s established systems and offices.
It emphasised that vehicle licences and other related services must be processed exclusively through officially designated SLRSA offices and authorised channels across the country.
The Authority also identified its authorised banking partners through which relevant services may be accessed. These include Union Trust Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, EcoBank, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, United Bank for Africa, First International Bank, Rokel Commercial Bank, Sky Bank, Zenith Bank and Access Bank.
The warning is particularly significant because vehicle licences constitute one of the SLRSA’s core revenue streams and are mandatory for vehicles operating on Sierra Leone’s roads.
The circulation of counterfeit licences could therefore have serious financial and security consequences. Beyond depriving the Government of legitimate revenue, fraudulent vehicle documentation could make it more difficult for law enforcement authorities to identify and trace vehicles involved in road crashes, criminal activities or other incidents.
The presence of vehicles operating with false documentation could also undermine the country’s vehicle registration and road safety monitoring systems, particularly if fraudulent licences contain information that does not correspond with the Authority’s official records.
The SLRSA has consequently appealed to motorists to take responsibility for ensuring that their documentation is legitimate and properly processed through official channels.
The Authority said it remains committed to protecting the integrity of its systems, strengthening its processes and ensuring that legitimate road users receive secure and authentic documentation.
Although the SLRSA has confirmed the cyber intrusion and the arrest of five suspects, it has not disclosed the number of fake vehicle licences believed to be in circulation. It is also yet to publicly indicate the full extent of the breach, including the period during which fraudulent licences may have been produced or whether additional suspects are being sought.
The incident marks one of the latest public concerns involving the protection of digital systems responsible for critical public services in Sierra Leone. As Government institutions increasingly rely on digital platforms to deliver services and manage sensitive records, cybersecurity has become an important component of public-sector administration and national security.
The ongoing police investigation is expected to shed further light on how the SLRSA’s systems were compromised, how the fraudulent licences were produced and distributed, and whether other individuals or networks may have benefited from the scheme.
In the meantime, the Authority has urged motorists to remain vigilant and to report suspicious individuals or transactions involving SLRSA services.
The SLRSA’s message to the public is clear: motorists should “Stay Alert! Verify Your Licence! Use Official SLRSA Channels!”
The Authority has encouraged members of the public to treat any person offering to process SLRSA services outside its established offices and authorised channels with caution and to verify the person’s official status before sharing personal information or making payments.