Public Advisory on Financial Scams Using Fake Police Identities on Social Media

The Sri Lanka Police wish to alert the public to the increasing number of financial scams carried out through social media platforms by fraudsters who impersonate police officers using stolen or fabricated photographs and fake online profiles.

The Police continue to receive numerous complaints regarding financial fraud committed through such deceptive methods. Although investigations have led to the arrest of several suspects and repeated public awareness campaigns have been conducted, many individuals continue to fall victim to these scams.

Current investigations have revealed an increase in cyber-enabled financial frauds in which criminals create fake WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media accounts displaying photographs of police officers or falsely claiming to represent the Sri Lanka Police and other government institutions.

The Sri Lanka Police urge the public to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the following fraudulent tactics:

• Receiving telephone calls to your landline or mobile phone from individuals falsely claiming to represent the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), or other Sri Lanka Police investigation units.

• Receiving false claims that your National Identity Card has been used to commit fraud, that a bank account or credit card has been opened in your name, that you have defaulted on payments, or that your bank account has been linked to money laundering or other criminal activities.

• Being threatened with legal action while fraudsters claim that a confidential investigation is underway and offer to “assist” you by sending fake police identity cards, official documents, badges, or photographs through WhatsApp or other social media platforms.

• Being instructed to disclose One-Time Passwords (OTPs), banking credentials, passwords, or other confidential information under the pretext of verifying your identity, unlocking a frozen account, or resolving an investigation.

• Being pressured to transfer money to unfamiliar bank accounts or purchase and transfer cryptocurrency, including USDT, as part of a supposed investigation or verification process.

 Protecting Your Personal and Financial Information

The Sri Lanka Police advise the public to observe the following precautions:

• No government institution or private organisation will request your National Identity Card number, bank account details, debit or credit card number, CVV, PIN, password, or One-Time Password (OTP) over the telephone, WhatsApp, or any social media platform. Any request for such information should be treated as fraudulent.

• Do not transfer money because of threats claiming that your bank account has been frozen, your card has been blocked, or legal proceedings are about to be initiated against you.

• Before transferring funds to any unfamiliar individual or account, contact your bank directly using its official telephone number to verify the request.

• The Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka do not conduct official investigations through personal WhatsApp accounts or request members of the public to deposit money into personal bank accounts. 

• Official notifications are issued through formal written correspondence, and where necessary, police officers will visit in person while on official duty.

• Documents, letters, identity cards, or notices received via WhatsApp or other social media platforms bearing the logos, names, signatures, or seals of government institutions may be forged. If you receive such material, report it immediately to your nearest police station.

• If you have any doubts regarding the authenticity of a communication, contact the relevant institution using the official telephone number published on its website.

• Avoid clicking on suspicious internet links, downloading unknown files, or scanning QR codes shared by unknown persons or social media groups. 

 Reporting Financial Scams

The Sri Lanka Police do not charge any fees for conducting criminal investigations or providing police services.

Members of the public who receive suspicious calls or messages, or who become victims of such fraudulent activities, are requested to report the matter immediately using the following contact numbers:

Computer Crime Investigation Division

• 011 2300756

Members of the public may also visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in person to lodge a written complaint.

The Sri Lanka Police kindly request all media institutions to provide wide publicity to this advisory in order to raise public awareness and help prevent financial fraud.