Sri Lanka Police have alerted the general public to the growing number of financial frauds and cybercrimes committed through social media platforms by individuals who misuse photographs of police officers to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Police stated that a number of complaints have been received regarding financial scams perpetrated through social media platforms by fraudsters who use photographs of police officers, fake WhatsApp accounts, Telegram accounts, and other deceptive online profiles.
Sri Lanka Police have conducted investigations into such incidents and has arrested suspects on several occasions.
It has been observed that various unlawful activities, including financial fraud, identity theft, and cybercrime, are increasing through the use of computers and mobile devices. Fraudsters frequently exploit photographs of police officers and create fake social media accounts to deceive members of the public for financial gain, the statement said.
Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Police continuously advises the general public not to fall victim to such fraudulent individuals or organized groups and urges everyone to remain vigilant regarding the following methods commonly employed by scammers:
• Contacting individuals via office landlines or mobile phones while falsely claiming to represent the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), or specialized investigative units of the Sri Lanka Police.
• Claiming that fraudulent transactions have been carried out using the victim's National Identity Card, that a bank card has been issued in an unknown location and payments have been defaulted, or that the victim's account has been used for money laundering and legal proceedings are imminent.
• Intimidating victims by stating that a confidential investigation is being conducted and subsequently offering assistance. Fraudsters may then request victims to communicate through WhatsApp or other social media platforms while sending forged official insignia, counterfeit documents, and photographs of government officials to create a false impression of authenticity.
• Obtaining OTP (One-Time Password) codes and other confidential banking information under the pretext of verifying identities, releasing frozen accounts, or resolving complaints. Victims may also be pressured into transferring funds to unfamiliar bank accounts or purchasing and transferring crypto currencies such as USDT.
Accordingly, the public is advised to observe the following precautions to safeguard their personal and financial information:
• No government institution or private organization will request your National Identity Card number, bank account details, card number, CVV number, password, or OTP code via telephone calls, WhatsApp, or social media platforms. Any call or message requesting such information should be treated as fraudulent.
• Do not succumb to pressure or threats claiming that your account is at risk, your card has been blocked, or legal action is being initiated against you. Before transferring money to an unfamiliar account or individual, contact your bank through its official telephone number and verify the information independently.
• The Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department, and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka do not conduct official investigations through personal WhatsApp numbers, nor do they request bank account details or instruct individuals to deposit money. Official notifications are issued in writing, and when necessary, uniformed officers will visit in person.
• Documents received through WhatsApp or other social media platforms bearing the logos, names, signatures, or photographs of government officials and institutions are often forged. Such communications should be reported immediately to the nearest police station.
• If you have any doubts regarding the authenticity of a communication, contact the relevant institution using the telephone number published on its official website and verify the information before taking any action.
• Avoid opening internet links, downloading applications, accessing websites, or scanning QR codes shared by unknown individuals or unverified social media groups. The Sri Lanka Police does not charge members of the public any fee for conducting investigations. Any request for money in connection with a police investigation should be regarded as a fraudulent act.
The general public can report such incidents or provide information regarding these fraudulent individuals or groups through the following contact numbers:
Telephone Numbers
Computer Crime Investigation Division – Supervision
071 8592918
Investigating Officers
071 8591765
Computer Crime Investigation Division
011 2300756
The general public can also visit the Criminal Investigation Department in person and submit a written complaint regarding such incidents.
