Police warn of Social media scams

• Police warns the public not to be deceived by fake messages 
• Not to deposit money to claim any financial benefits 
• Not to transact with strangers 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

An organised scam was conducted by a group of racketeers’ through the social media to collect money, the Police warned the general public yesterday.    

The Police said they had received information about the gang of racketeers using social media to deceive people.   

They said the racketeers used social networks to build trust and confidence.   

Accordingly, they deceived people to collect money by claiming that, they have won lotteries in many countries, donating material and financial aid from NGOs, and that the value of the goods was shipped to the Customs in your name.   

The racketeers had also informed the victims to deposit money to a bank account receive or to collect the goods.   

The Police said an incident had taken place on October 5 in which such a racketeer had defrauded Rs. 270,000 from an individual in Nittambuwa to release goods from the Customs after maintaining relationship through the Facebook.   

Therefore, the Police informed the public not to deposit money to receive money or gifts without consulting a responsible institution. 

The Police said an incident had taken place on October 5 in which  such a racketeer had defrauded Rs. 270,000 from an individual in  Nittambuwa to release goods from the Customs after maintaining  relationship through the Facebook.