KENNER, La. (WVUE) – A Louisiana state judge has ordered the seizure of a fraudulent website operating from a Russian server, which was attempting to steal credit card information from individuals through scam text messages.
The website, geauxpass.info, was designed to imitate the legitimate toll payment site, geauxpass.com, and formed part of a phishing scam aimed at Louisiana residents.
Recipients of the deceptive texts were informed they owed $3.75 in unpaid toll fees and were directed to the fraudulent website, which threatened a $30 fine if payment was not promptly made.
Detective Brad Ricke of the Kenner Police Department, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and federal agencies, confirmed the website’s fraudulent nature. The site utilized similar dark blue and gold branding as the authentic GeauxPass site, but several links were found to be non-functional.
Further investigation revealed that the website was hosted on a server located in Russia.
The Kenner Police, alongside the Department of Homeland Security and the National Intellectual Property Rights Center, successfully seized the fraudulent site. Kenner Police Chief Conley commended Detective Ricke and the Criminal Investigations Division for their diligence in the case.
“Please remain vigilant against phishing scams. These criminals were not just after $3.75; their true intent was to obtain your credit card information,” Chief Conley warned.