Beware of fake police officers demanding bank details on WhatsApp

Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Police have issued an urgent public warning over a surge in financial scams involving fraudsters impersonating police officers and other government officials to steal money and sensitive banking information.

Police said criminals are using stolen or fabricated photographs to create fake profiles on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to deceive members of the public. Despite previous arrests and awareness campaigns, police said people continue to fall victim to the scams.

According to police, victims are contacted by individuals falsely claiming to represent the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), or other police investigation units. The callers typically allege that the victim's National Identity Card has been used in fraudulent activities or that their bank accounts are linked to money laundering and other criminal offences.

To make their claims appear genuine, the scammers send forged police identity cards, official-looking documents and badges through social media while threatening victims with legal action and offering to help resolve the purported investigations.

Police said the fraudsters then persuade victims to reveal confidential information, including One-Time Passwords (OTPs), banking credentials and PINs. In some cases, victims are pressured into transferring money to unfamiliar bank accounts or purchasing and transferring cryptocurrency, including USDT.

The Police stressed that no government institution or private organisation will ever request OTPs, CVV numbers, bank passwords or other confidential banking details over the telephone or through social media.

They also clarified that neither the Sri Lanka Police, the CID nor the Central Bank of Sri Lanka conduct official investigations through personal WhatsApp accounts or ask members of the public to deposit money into personal bank accounts. Official police communications are issued only through formal written notices or by officers carrying out official duties in person.

The public has been advised not to click on suspicious web links, download files from unknown sources or scan unverified QR codes. Anyone who receives forged documents bearing government logos has been urged to report the matter to the nearest police station immediately.

Police further reminded the public that no fees are charged for criminal investigations. Victims or anyone targeted by such scams can contact the Computer Crime Investigation Division on 011-2300756 or 071-8592918 and 071-8591765, or visit the CID in person to lodge a complaint.