July 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to remain vigilant amid a rise in sophisticated online financial scams in which fraudsters pose as police officers and senior government officials to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
In a public advisory, the Police said cybercriminals are increasingly creating convincing fake identities by using stolen photographs, fabricated identity cards and counterfeit official documents, enabling them to impersonate members of law enforcement and state institutions on digital platforms.
Despite the arrest of several individuals linked to such scams and ongoing public awareness campaigns, authorities said complaints continue to pour in from people who have suffered financial losses after being misled by the fraudsters.
Investigations have revealed a growing trend of cyber-enabled deception involving fake accounts on platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and other social media services. According to Police, the perpetrators falsely claim to represent the Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other government agencies in an effort to convince victims that their requests or instructions are legitimate.
Police warned that the scammers often exploit the credibility of these institutions to pressure individuals into transferring money, disclosing sensitive personal information or complying with fraudulent financial demands. In many cases, the criminals use convincing language and forged documents to make their claims appear authentic.
The public has been advised to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent a government institution before sharing personal or financial information. Police also urged anyone who encounters suspicious online accounts or receives questionable requests for money to report the matter immediately to the relevant authorities, stressing that increased public vigilance remains one of the most effective ways to combat cyber fraud.
