Think before you click! Sri Lanka Police warn of rising cybercrimes on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram & more. From fake job offers to money-laundering traps, find out how not to get scammed.
The Sri Lanka Police, through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has issued a public warning regarding a sharp rise in cybercrimes targeting citizens via social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and WeChat. A detailed investigation has revealed that an increasing number of Sri Lankans are falling victim to organized digital fraud and online scams carried out by criminals both locally and internationally using modern technology and online anonymity.
Two main methods are being used to commit these online crimes. In the first method, fraudsters use these popular platforms to promote fraudulent “work-from-home” schemes or fake business investments. Victims are first enticed to invest small amounts of money, which are returned with modest profits to build trust. This gradual payout process convinces individuals to invest larger sums, believing in promised high returns. Funds are typically deposited into local bank accounts. However, when victims request returns on their larger investments, scammers demand further payments under the guise of fees such as security charges or customs taxes claiming that additional deposits are required to release their profits. In most cases, no returns are ever received, and the scammers vanish.
The second method involves misleading advertisements promoting easy income from home, where participants are asked to share their personal bank account numbers. The criminals then deposit illicit funds into these accounts and offer the account holders a commission. Investigators have discovered that these transactions are part of a larger money laundering network, where funds obtained through the first method are routed through multiple accounts to conceal their origin. As a result, unsuspecting individuals become unknowingly complicit in financial crimes, including aiding and abetting money laundering.
Authorities further revealed that many of the perpetrators operate from overseas, making it challenging for local law enforcement to trace or act swiftly, due to the lack of real-time access to data from international tech platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. This delay in access significantly hampers efforts to stop the crimes before more people are affected. The CID emphasizes that raising public awareness is critical in preventing the further spread of these scams.
To safeguard against these digital threats, the police strongly urge all Sri Lankan citizens to be cautious when responding to online advertisements and unsolicited messages from unknown sources. Citizens are advised not to provide personal bank account details to strangers, not to act on financial instructions from third-party social media contacts, and to avoid transferring funds received from unknown individuals. Furthermore, the public should refrain from clicking suspicious links or joining unknown online groups promoting investment or job opportunities.
The authorities appeal to the media and digital content creators to help spread awareness by publishing safety tips and sharing verified information on TV, newspapers, websites, and across all social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and WeChat. Protecting personal financial data and remaining vigilant online is the best defense against falling prey to social media scams and online fraud.
