By: Isuru Parakrama
April 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have cautioned the public to be on heightened alert for online scams during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, warning that festive spending habits are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals.
With more people turning to digital platforms for shopping, bill payments and money transfers during the season, authorities say fraudsters are taking advantage of the surge in online activity to deceive unsuspecting users. Officials noted that the number of reported incidents tends to rise sharply around April each year.
Among the most common tactics identified are fake promotional campaigns advertising “Avurudu deals”, counterfeit retail websites, and misleading social media posts offering prizes or discounts. In addition, phishing emails and text messages, fraudulent bank notifications, and manipulated QR codes are being widely used to extract sensitive personal and financial information.
Police also highlighted the growing use of caller ID spoofing, where scammers disguise their phone numbers to appear as legitimate institutions. In some cases, images and names of prominent figures, including national leaders, are misused to lend credibility to these schemes.
Investigators say previous cases reveal that individuals facing financial pressure, or those tempted by seemingly lucrative offers, are particularly vulnerable. Once personal data is obtained, it can be exploited for identity theft, unauthorised transactions, and further targeted scams.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when clicking on unfamiliar links, sharing personal details, or responding to unsolicited offers. They also recommend verifying the authenticity of websites and promotions before making any payments, especially during the busy festive period.