Do Not Be Deceived by Individuals Requesting Bank Account Details While Wearing Uniforms Similar to Police Attire

The Criminal Investigation Department has received numerous complaints regarding a group of scammers who are impersonating police officers and defrauding members of the public through telephone calls.

Several suspects have already been apprehended, and further investigations are currently in progress. According to information uncovered during the inquiries, these fraudsters use foreign telephone numbers that closely resemble Sri Lankan landline numbers to contact bank account holders. They falsely identify themselves as representatives of local banks and financial institutions and claim that complaints have been lodged concerning the recipients’ accounts.

The calls are then redirected to individuals posing as officers of the Sri Lanka Police Investigation Division, who assert that legal action is being initiated in relation to the alleged complaints. During WhatsApp video calls, the suspects appear dressed in uniforms resembling those of the Sri Lanka Police and conduct fake interrogations, claiming to record statements remotely.

To enhance the deception, the fraudsters simulate a busy police office environment during the video calls, creating the impression that they are operating from an official investigation unit.

While questioning the victims, these impostors subtly and strategically request confidential banking details, including account information and card numbers, without arousing suspicion. Once they obtain this sensitive data, they immediately withdraw or transfer funds from the victims’ bank accounts.

Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department have further revealed that the stolen funds are transferred through multiple bank accounts and subsequently converted into cryptocurrency (virtual or digital currency not physically circulated) via accounts on Binance.

The arrested suspects have disclosed that they transferred the illicit funds to various bank accounts as instructed by an individual who contacted them online, and that they received a commission for facilitating these transactions.

As it has been observed that members of the public are being defrauded through this method, the public is strongly advised to remain vigilant and refrain from disclosing bank account details, confidential financial information, or data related to online banking accounts created using personal information to any unauthorized person.

Furthermore, the public is kindly requested to immediately notify the Sri Lanka Police if they receive any information or suspicious communication related to such fraudulent activities.