A new WhatsApp video scam is targeting Sri Lankans, with fraudsters blackmailing victims for ransom. The scheme is reportedly operated from India, and several complaints have already reached the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) in recent days.
According to officials, the scam begins with fraudsters creating fake Facebook profiles. They often impersonate attractive young women to approach unsuspecting individuals. The scammers first connect with victims and their friends through these fake accounts before moving the conversation to WhatsApp.
Victims are then lured into a video call. During the call, the caller, appearing as a nude woman, tries to entice the victim into engaging in explicit behaviour. However, authorities note that even if the victim does not participate, simply remaining on the call for a short period can be enough for the scammers to proceed with their scheme.
What happens next could be critical for victims. Following the call, the perpetrators send the victim a manipulated video. This video falsely depicts the victim in explicit interactions. In some cases, the same fabricated content is also shared with individuals from the victim’s own social media contacts. This tactic intensifies the pressure significantly.
The fraudsters then demand a ransom. Victims are typically instructed to transfer money to bank accounts believed to be based in India. The perpetrators threaten to distribute the fabricated content widely across social media platforms if the payment is not made.
CERT officials warn that several individuals, including prominent members of society, have reportedly fallen prey to this WhatsApp video scam. This raises concerns about the scale of the threat and the vulnerability of even well-connected citizens.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant when interacting with unknown contacts online. People are strongly advised to avoid engaging in suspicious video calls. Victims are encouraged to report incidents immediately to the nearest police station and seek assistance from cybersecurity authorities.
