Purchasing goods online Police urges people to be vigilant

• Some individuals were selling stolen valuable goods
• Sellers choose a place where the people do not  pay much attention, where there are no close-up surveillance cameras

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Sri Lanka Police urged the public to be cautious when purchasing goods online from individuals, especially through advertisements placed on the Internet. 

Police said it had been found that some individuals were selling stolen valuable goods such as mobile phones, jewellery, perfumes, appliances and computers by placing advertisements on Facebook and on the Internet at very low prices.   

After purchasing online, the goods are delivered in public places such as the highway.   

Police said the sellers of such establishments choose a place where the people do not pay much attention, where there are no close-up surveillance cameras. These swindlers make sure that the stolen goods are sold and disappear immediately, Police said.   

When goods are purchased from individuals, Police urge the public to obtain information of the seller such as mobile phone number or copy of identity card and to be cautious in making such transactions.   
Furthermore, the EMI numbers of all the stolen mobile phones are now published on the website www.ineed.police.lk maintained by the Police.   

Prior to purchasing, the Police urged the public to visit the above website and verify that the EMI numbers of the mobile phone they wish to purchase have been posted on this website and to make such purchases.