Is a File Taking Too Long to Download a Sign of Trouble?

If a link, persumably to a text is clicked on and it appears to take a longer time to download than expected, is that a sign  that the link could be  connected to malware?

Recently I received an e-mail, purportedly from the NYC Parking Violations Bureau,  claiming that I still owned them for a fine. (There was a ticket and we had attended to it, but that was probably coincidental). I clinked on the link,  but  because it took so long to download I got bored/concerned and cancelled it. On further examination I discovered that the "ticket" was for a truck and I don't have a truck. There were probably other little "a bell should go off in your head" signs.  

Thank you for responding