Police issue urgent cybersecurity warning for festive period

Colombo, April 6 (Daily Mirror) -The Police have issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a surge in sophisticated online financial fraud and data theft during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive period. As more citizens turn to the internet for holiday shopping and payments, cybercriminals are increasingly using deceptive tactics to steal money and sensitive personal information.

According to complaints received by police stations and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), many individuals have fallen victim to these scams due to economic hardships or the lure of quick financial gains. Police said they have observed that criminals are utilizing a wide array of methods, including fraudulent social media advertisements, fake "New Year Offers" and giveaways, and counterfeit banking websites or apps.

The police highlighted several technical methods used by scammers, such as QR code scams, Email and SMS Phishing, and Caller ID Spoofing. In many cases, these criminals create websites that appear perfectly legal to deceive users into entering their private data. Once this sensitive information is obtained, it is used to launch targeted phishing attacks, leading to identity theft and significant financial loss.

Furthermore, the notice warns that scammers are now using the images and names of high-ranking government officials, including the President and Prime Minister, as well as other well-known celebrities, to build false trust with the public. These fabricated endorsements are used to promote fraudulent schemes and lure unsuspecting victims into providing their banking details.

In light of these threats, the Police strongly advised the public to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution when conducting transactions online. Citizens are urged to verify the authenticity of websites and offers before sharing any personal information to avoid falling victim to these organized cybercrimes.