Police warn public against rising online financial frauds

Colombo, Oct. 8 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Police have issued an urgent warning to the public about the growing number of financial frauds being committed through social media platforms, particularly on Telegram, WhatsApp, and other online groups.

Police said that complaints are being received daily regarding fraudulent activities that take place over the internet, where individuals are deceived into sharing personal and banking information.

Investigations have revealed that scammers are using various tactics, such as offering fake online job opportunities or promising quick financial gains, to lure people into providing confidential details including bank account numbers, usernames, passwords, and QR codes. Once the information is obtained, the perpetrators transfer money through various accounts and disappear without a trace.

Police said these fraudsters often operate anonymously through encrypted social media channels, making it difficult to trace their real identities.

Victims are typically approached by unknown individuals or added to online groups claiming to provide remote jobs, investment schemes, or income-earning opportunities.

After gaining the victim’s trust, the scammers persuade them to share sensitive details or make deposits to certain bank accounts under false pretenses.

Police warned that this pattern of deception is becoming increasingly common across Sri Lanka.

In many instances, victims have reported being contacted by persons pretending to represent recognized companies or online platforms. These scammers promise easy earnings from home but ultimately steal money or personal data, which they later use for illegal transactions or identity theft.

Police urged the public to be especially careful when engaging in online financial dealings.

Accordingly, people are advised not to fall for false promises or offers made by unknown individuals on social media claiming to provide new income sources. Users are also instructed to avoid scanning QR codes or using web extensions shared by strangers, as these may contain malicious links designed to steal data.

Furthermore, the public is cautioned not to credit money to accounts belonging to unknown persons or to share banking details such as account numbers, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs) with anyone. The police also remind users to be mindful of the permissions requested when installing mobile applications and to avoid granting unnecessary access to their electronic devices.