The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has warned the public regarding a fraudulent website that is misusing the name, official logo and photographs of the bureau to falsely promote free employment opportunities in Israel and collect personal information from prospective job seekers. 

In a statement, the SLBFE said that the fraudulent scheme may pose a serious cybersecurity threat and involves the unauthorized use of the bureau’s identity to impersonate the institution. 

The SLBFE stated that the fraudulent link is currently being circulated through social media platforms, presenting information in a manner that may lead the public to believe that it is an official SLBFE-approved recruitment process for employment opportunities in Israel. 

Through the link, users are directed to an online application form that requests personal information, including their full name, date of birth, National Identity Card (NIC) number, gender and mobile telephone number. 

The unauthorized use of the SLBFE’s identity and the collection of personal information through an unverified online form could expose individuals to serious risks, including phishing attacks, identity theft, impersonation, fraudulent data collection, social engineering and misuse of personal information, the statement said. 

The SLBFE further warns that the fraudulent scheme appears to target young people seeking employment opportunities in Israel, with the possible intention of obtaining and misusing their personal information. 

As there is a risk that the personal information provided through such fraudulent websites could fall into the hands of cybercriminals, the SLBFE strongly advises job seekers and members of the public not to provide any personal information through such links, websites or unverified online forms. 

The SLBFE said it has already lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) regarding this fraudulent activity, and necessary action is being taken. 

The SLBFE therefore urges all prospective applicants for employment in Israel to exercise extreme caution and to obtain information regarding recruitment opportunities only through official SLBFE channels and verified sources.