Sri Lanka Police have issued a strong public alert over a significant rise in financial scams being carried out through popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and WeChat. The warning follows a series of investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which revealed a sharp increase in fraud cases targeting Sri Lankan citizens.
According to the Police Media Division, fraudsters use two primary methods to exploit victims online. The first involves luring individuals with offers of high-earning remote jobs advertised on social media. Victims are then encouraged to make small initial investments, with fake returns provided to build trust.
As confidence grows, the scammers request larger sums, promising even higher profits. These funds are typically deposited into local bank accounts. However, when victims attempt to withdraw or inquire about their returns, they are told to pay additional charges such as “defence levies” or “customs fees.” Ultimately, the promised benefits are never delivered, and the fraudsters vanish with the funds.
The second tactic involves persuading individuals to share their personal bank account details under the guise of earning money from home. Victims are then instructed to transfer funds credited to their accounts to third-party accounts, receiving a small commission in return. Investigators believe that this method is used to move money acquired through previous scams, effectively involving innocent citizens in money laundering and aiding criminal activity—often without their knowledge.
Police investigations have uncovered that both local and overseas criminals are using advanced technology to carry out these scams, making detection and enforcement challenging. A significant hurdle for investigators is the limited access to real-time data from international social media platforms, allowing scammers to operate with impunity.
In response, authorities stress the urgent need to raise public awareness and prevent further victimization. The Police Media Division urges the public to exercise extreme caution when responding to unsolicited job offers or investment opportunities advertised via social media. Citizens are advised not to join unfamiliar online groups, click on suspicious links, or follow instructions from unverified sources.
Furthermore, individuals should never share their bank account information with strangers or transfer money received from unknown sources. Law enforcement officials emphasize that prevention through education is the most effective strategy against these sophisticated scams.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious online activity to the nearest police station or the CID’s cybercrime division to aid ongoing investigations and protect others from falling victim.
