Rise in social media scams targeting Sri Lankans: CID warns public

• Cybercrime complaints soar in 2024–25
• Fake jobs, investments used in online scams
• CID exposes online money laundering tactics
• People advised not to click on suspicious links

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has raised alarm over a sharp increase in crimes targeting Sri Lankans through popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype and WeChat.

According to CID investigations, criminals are using two main methods to commit these financial frauds.

The first involves fake investment and work-from-home schemes. It was revealed that scammers publish advertisements online, promising high returns for small initial investments. Victims are first asked to deposit a small amount and are then shown fake returns to gain their trust. Encouraged by these profits, they are persuaded to invest larger sums.

Once significant funds are transferred, the promised returns stop. When questioned, the fraudsters claim that to receive the benefits, victims must pay additional charges such as security taxes or customs fees. This cycle continues, causing victims to lose large sums of money.

The second method involves fake remote job offers, where criminals collect bank account details from unsuspecting individuals. They then use these accounts to transfer illicit money, often funds obtained through earlier scams, and pay small commissions to account holders.

Investigations further revealed that this method helps criminals launder money using multiple local bank accounts, making it harder to trace the origin of the funds.

CID investigators have found that these scams are highly organised and often operate across borders using advanced technology. Due to delays in obtaining critical information from social media platforms, police officers face challenges in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators.

The police warn that those who unknowingly allow their bank accounts to be used in these operations may also be implicated in financial crimes, including money laundering and aiding and abetting illegal activity.

The police have urged the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging with online job or investment offers.

They advised people not to click on suspicious links, share personal bank account information with unknown individuals, or transfer money received from unknown sources to third-party accounts.

According to Sri Lanka CERT (Computer Emergency Readiness Team), a total of 7,210 online scam complaints were received in 2024 alone. Of these, approximately 20%—around 1,440 cases—involved financial fraud, including investment scams, job offer frauds, and identity theft.

In just the first quarter of 2025, the CERT received 2,887 cybercrime-related complaints, of which 364 were financial fraud cases.

Investigators have also uncovered a disturbing trend in cross-border scam operations. Between mid-2024 and early 2025, more than 200 foreign nationals, primarily from India, China, and Thailand, were arrested in Sri Lanka for their involvement in organised scam networks.