The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has warned that extortion scams carried out through Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp are once again on the rise, with several victims lodging complaints in recent weeks.
Preliminary information suggests that fraudsters operating from India may be behind the activities, though suspicions have also emerged of Sri Lankan involvement, as victims are now being directed to transfer money into local personal bank accounts.
According to SLCERT, the scam typically begins with a simple “Hi” message from what appears to be a young woman’s Instagram account. After building trust over several days, scammers send provocative images and invite victims to continue conversations via WhatsApp video calls. Victims are then encouraged to appear naked or engage in suggestive exchanges, after which screenshots are taken and shared with relatives or friends to exert pressure.
Victims are initially forced to pay Rs. 5,000–10,000 to prevent exposure, but demands quickly escalate to hundreds of thousands of rupees. In April alone, Sri Lanka CERT recorded multiple cases where payments were directed to Indian accounts, though recent complaints indicate money is being funneled into Sri Lankan accounts as well.
The scam has become particularly manipulative, with perpetrators adding victims’ siblings and relatives to their social media friend lists beforehand to maximize pressure. Many victims only sought help from SLCERT after repeated payments became financially overwhelming.
SLCERT urges the public to remain vigilant when using Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Telegram, stressing to verify identities before engaging in private conversations, avoid sharing intimate images or participating in compromising video calls, and seek immediate assistance from Sri Lanka CERT or the Police if targeted.
SLCERT has emphasized that the scam is not only financially devastating but also emotionally damaging, as victims often discover exposure through family members contacted by the fraudsters. (Newswire)