The Sri Lanka Police have issued a public advisory warning of a surge in financial scams carried out via social media platforms by fraudsters impersonating Police officers with stolen or fabricated photographs and fake online profiles.
The Police said numerous complaints continue to be received despite arrests and repeated awareness campaigns.
Current investigations reveal criminals are creating fake WhatsApp, Telegram, and other accounts falsely claiming to represent the Police or government institutions.
The Sri Lanka Police urge the public to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the following fraudulent tactics:
- Fake calls from individuals posing as officers of the Central Bank, CID, or other units.
- False claims that National Identity Cards have been misused, fraudulent accounts opened, or bank accounts linked to money laundering.
- Threats of legal action while sending forged police IDs, documents, or badges via WhatsApp/social media.
- Requests for confidential data such as OTPs, passwords, or banking credentials under the guise of verification.
- Pressure to transfer funds to unfamiliar accounts or cryptocurrency wallets (including USDT).
The Sri Lanka Police advise the public to observe the following precautions to protecting personal and financial information:
- Never share sensitive data: No institution will request NIC, bank details, card numbers, CVV, PIN, or OTP via phone or social media.
- Do not transfer money based on threats of frozen accounts or blocked cards.
- Verify with your bank using official contact numbers before sending funds.
- Police and Central Bank protocols: Investigations are not conducted via personal WhatsApp accounts or personal bank deposits.
- Check authenticity: Documents or IDs sent via social media may be forged — report immediately.
- Avoid suspicious links, downloads, or QR codes from unknown sources.
The public are urged to reporting such scams. Victims or those receiving suspicious calls/messages are urged to report immediately:
- Computer Crime Investigation Division – Supervisory Officer: 071 8592918
- Investigation Officer: 071 8591765
- Division Office: 011 2300756
Complaints may also be lodged in person at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). (Newswire)
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