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)

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A 28‑year‑old woman from Gampaha has been arrested for allegedly luring victims into an online business scheme using a brand name, in a financial fraud amounting to Rs. 426,300.

She was taken into custody yesterday (08) by the North Western Province Sub‑Unit of the Computer Crimes Investigation Division.

Police said Rs. 186,500 of the defrauded amount had been credited to her account. 

The arrest followed a complaint lodged with the Computer Crimes Investigation Division, which subsequently launched a probe into the incident. Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police say a suspect has been arrested for defrauding Rs. 408,000 from a victim’s bank account through an online sports goods scam.

According to the North Western Province Computer Crimes Unit, the suspect posed as an online sports goods sales company and tricked the victim into placing an order. 

Investigations revealed that the fraud was carried out using a malicious banking Trojan application and phishing link, which enabled remote access to the victim’s mobile phone.

The arrested suspect is a 22‑year‑old resident of Pallegama, Makkanigama. 

The Computer Crimes Unit of the North Western Province is conducting further investigations into the matter. 

Sri Lanka Police urge the public to remain vigilant when using the internet and to avoid clicking on suspicious links. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have issued a public warning about a dangerous new financial fraud being carried out through malicious “.apk” files sent via WhatsApp and Telegram.

According to the Police, these files are often disguised as wedding invitations, electricity bills, or lottery notices. Once clicked, they install harmful software on mobile phones. 

This allows hackers to control the device screen and read SMS messages, including confidential One Time Password (OTP) codes linked to bank accounts.

Police warn that suspicious “.apk” files should never be downloaded or opened, even if they appear to come from friends.

 “Always use Google Play Store or Apple App Store to obtain apps, and ensure the ‘Install Unknown Apps’ option in phone settings is disabled,” the statement said.

They further advised that anyone who suspects they have fallen victim should immediately suspend their bank accounts and report the matter to the nearest police station or the Computer Crimes Division of the CID. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police has issued a public advisory warning of possible online fraud during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.

According to the Police, with increased use of the internet for purchases, payments, and other transactions during this period, criminals are exploiting the opportunity to carry out financial scams and data theft.

The Police state fraudulent advertisements, fake links, “Avurudu offers”, and giveaways, bogus commercial websites, fake bank promotions, phishing emails and SMS messages, caller ID spoofing, and QR code scams are among the methods identified.

Investigations in past years have shown that some individuals, driven by financial hardship or the lure of quick profits, have fallen victim to such schemes. 

The Police also cautioned that fraudsters often use images of high‑ranking officials, including the President and Prime Minister, to build trust and deceive the public.

The advisory warns that sensitive data obtained through these scams can be misused for phishing attacks, financial fraud, and identity theft.

The Police further urged the public to remain vigilant and exercise caution when conducting online transactions to avoid falling prey to such fraudulent activities. (Newswire)

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A group of 125 Chinese nationals detained in Sri Lanka for involvement in online financial fraud has been deported.

According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the deportation was carried out using a special aircraft sent from China following discussions between the two governments. 

The individuals had been arrested on March 17 in Anuradhapura, where they were found staying in several lodges and engaging in internet‑based financial scams.

Investigations revealed that the group had entered Sri Lanka on tourist and business visas but remained in violation of immigration laws. 

They were subsequently held at the Welisara Detention Centre until arrangements were made for deportation.

A team of officials from China’s Immigration Department, accompanied by a doctor, arrived in Sri Lanka to oversee the process. 

The deportation took place last night, with six officials from Sri Lanka’s Immigration Department also traveling to China alongside the group. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) has urged the public to be cautious of online advertisements and suspicious links targeting the upcoming festive season, warning that many of these promotions are fraudulent attempts to steal personal information.

Lead Information Security Engineer of SLCERT Charuka Damunupola said several cases of internet fraud have already been reported in the past two months. 

He noted that with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year approaching, there is a heightened risk of fake advertisements appearing online in the form of discounts, cash gifts, or special promotions.

Damunupola emphasized that such links often redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to harvest sensitive data. 

He further cautioned that similar scams may surface during the Vesak and Poson festivals under deceptive names such as “Poson Maha Data Dansala,” aimed at tricking users into sharing personal details.

SLCERT has therefore advised the public to exercise vigilance when clicking on unfamiliar links or engaging with online advertisements during the festive season, stressing that awareness and caution are key to preventing cyber fraud. (Newswire)

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Two suspects have been arrested for deceiving the public through the fake lottery scheme ‘Dialog Mega Wasana’ on social media, defrauding Rs. 10 million.

According to the Police, a male and a female suspect were arrested by officers of the Northern Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday (Jan 05). 

The Police said both suspects, aged 29, are residents of Batticaloa. 

The CID is conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have observed a rising number of complaints regarding financial fraud committed via the Internet, particularly through social media platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and other online communication networks.

This official advisory highlights how fraudsters lure victims with fake offers, job opportunities, or unusually low prices, often tricking them into revealing bank details, usernames, or making advance payments. Once money or information is obtained, victims are blocked, and further scams are carried out.

The Police emphasize that no one should transfer money or share personal details without verifying authenticity, and they urge the public to use secure payment methods and remain vigilant against such schemes.

How to identify fraudsters?

Fraudsters often use the same method, offering products at prices far below market value. This is their main tactic to exploit the greed of consumers. They also create a sense of urgency, saying things like “others are coming,” or “if you buy now, I’ll give it to you,” to make you panic. This prevents you from thinking carefully and pushes you to complete the transaction quickly. They usually demand advance payments, asking you to deposit Rs. 5,000, Rs. 10,000, or Rs. 20,000 into a bank account to “reserve” the item. Once the money is deposited, they disconnect or block your phone number.

What you should do to avoid such fraud

Never pay money without receiving the product in hand. Do not make advance deposits for any item you see online under any circumstances. Only use Cash on Delivery or meet directly for Hand‑to‑Hand transactions. Be cautious when meeting strangers. Choose a crowded, safe location and do not go alone. Confirm that the seller actually has the product by requesting a video call. During the call, check not only the product but also clearly see the seller’s face; fraudsters often avoid showing their face. Verify the bank account details. If you have any doubts about the account number or name provided, do not deposit money. Many fraudsters use accounts created with other people’s identity documents. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has urged the public to remain extremely vigilant as a surge in online scams and embezzlement attempts has been observed across social media platforms in recent weeks. 

Issuing a statement, SLCERT said these incidents coincide with the festive season and the ongoing climate-related disaster situation, creating opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit public trust and vulnerability.

“SLCERT has received a significant number of complaints regarding fraudulent schemes where scammers impersonate government institutions, public service departments, reputed supermarkets, and well-known business entities. These actors circulate fake promotional offers, financial rewards, and prize announcements to mislead unsuspecting individuals,” the statement said.

According to SLCERT, in the aftermath of the recent cyclone and severe rains that caused widespread damage in several parts of the country, cybercriminals have also fraudulently replicated the names of government agencies and organizations involved in relief and recovery efforts. They distribute deceptive links and persuade the public to donate money through these channels, resulting in many victims losing funds directly from their bank accounts.

SLCERT has reminded the public not to click on suspicious links, not to share personal information on untrusted channels, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with unknown individuals or unverified websites. 

“Legitimate government institutions and established organizations do not request such sensitive information via unsolicited messages, social media posts, or online links. We call on the public to exercise heightened caution during this period and verify the authenticity of any message, fundraising request, or financial offer they receive. Any suspicious activity can be reported to Sri Lanka CERT through our hotline or official channels. Stay alert. Stay safe. Protect your digital identity,” it added. (Newswire)

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Police are seeking public assistance to locate a suspect involved in an ongoing online scam investigation. 

The suspect, identified as Liyanathukoralalage Don Niroshan Sameera (NIC: 780232196V) of 270/6 Ihala Bomiriya, Kaduwela, is accused of deceiving victims with false promises of gift parcels and fraudulently obtaining funds through bank deposits.

Police said the suspect maintained suspicious bank accounts as part of the scheme. 

The Criminal Investigation Division’s Financial Investigation Unit is leading the probe. A case related to the investigation is currently pending before the Colombo High Court.

Police have released an image of the suspect and urge anyone with information to contact 071-8594911 or 011-2320140. (Newswire)

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The Teldeniya Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the equipment seized from Chinese nationals involved in cybercrimes in Sri Lanka be handed over to an authorised official of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.

Teldeniya Magistrate Devika Chathurangani Jayawardena issued the order yesterday, instructing that all equipment, including mobile phones and computers that had been in the custody of the Court, be handed over to the Chinese Embassy official. 

Presenting a motion to the court, officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had requested the court to issue the said order. 

Following the court order, the Chinese suspects were moved to the Welisara Detention Centre yesterday, after which they are to be deported from Sri Lanka. 

A total of 130 Chinese suspects, including 108 Chinese men and 22 Chinese women, were arrested while staying at a star hotel in Kundasale, Kandy and were produced before the Teldeniya Magistrates’ Court.

Thereafter, the Teldeniya Court had seized 206 mobile phones, 121 laptops and other computer equipment in their possession.

However, yesterday, Teldeniya Magistrate Devika Chathurangani Jayawardena ordered that all of these devices be handed over to a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo through officers of the CID.

Meanwhile, seven of these Chinese suspects had evaded the Teldeniya Court on three occasions, due to which the court had issued arrest warrants for them.

The remaining 122 Chinese national suspects were handed over to the Welisara Detention Centre yesterday following an extradition order by the Teldeniya Court.

It is reported that the group, excluding the seven suspects who have evaded court, will be deported from Sri Lanka in the coming days.

It is reported that 85 of the Chinese suspects were deported from Sri Lanka this morning.

According to media reports, the group had been taken to the Katunayake Airport in 05 buses and were deported to Guangzhou, China on a special Sri Lankan Airlines flight this morning. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has issued an advisory alerting the public to be vigilant of fake social media advertisements offering unclaimed luggage for sale at the airport premises in Katunayake. 

Issuing a statement on Facebook, the BIA said it has been made aware of unofficial social media pages and websites pretending to be BIA and publishing social media posts offering unclaimed luggage for sale. 

The BIA informed that this information was entirely false and not endorsed by the  Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd.

“We urge everyone to be vigilant in responding to such advertisements with offers on specific products claiming to be from Bandaranaike International Airport. If you see such advertisements, do report the pages as scams,” the BIA urged.

The BIA further requested the public to rely only on official updates from its official social media channels mentioned below;

𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 Bandaranaike International Airport  

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 instagram.com/bia_srilanka

𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 twitter.com/BIA_SriLanka

𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 www.airport.lk (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police has warned the public of a scam using social media and the fake logo of the Police Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women, to acquire confidential information from affected persons.

The Police said the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women had set up a special operations centre with hotline 109 for victims of abuse to file complaints.

Stating that the details were collected via the hotline under strict confidentiality, the Police said the officers on duty only communicated via the hotline.

They said, however, it has come to light that various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, have been used under the accounts ‘slremover’ and ‘SL protection’ bearing the fake logo of the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women to collect details from victims.

Investigations have found that the fraudsters had utilised the fake logos to receive confidential details and pictures from the victims, after which they used the information to threaten the victims.

The Police said complaints of abuse are collected only via the operations centre of the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women and its hotline 109, and not via social media.

The Police request the public not to fall victim to fake social media accounts and share their confidential details.

Those who have fallen victim to the scam have been urged to inform the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women via its hotline 109 or file a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID. (Newswire)

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The public who have fallen victim to online financial scams through social media, such as WhatsApp, has been requested to inform the Police Computer Crime Investigation Division.

Complaints can be filed by sending emails to the Police Computer Crime Investigation Division via dir.ccid@police.gov.lk.

The measures have been taken after several reports of the public being financially defrauded through the hacking of social media accounts, such as Facebook and WhatsApp. 

The public has also been requested not to open links, or respond to requests for one-time passwords (OTP/ PIN), codes, or financial aid sent via SMS or WhatsApp messages. (Newswire)

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Three Chinese nationals have been apprehended in Galle on suspicion of being involved in online financial scams in Sri Lanka. 

The Police said the three Chinese men were arrested while staying at a hotel in the Gintota area in Galle yesterday. 

The arrested Chinese nationals are aged between 33 and 38 years.

The Police seized five mobile phones, a passport without an owner, and four bank cards during the arrest. 

The Galle Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The scam farms by foreign nationals recently busted in Sri Lanka are similar to those in Myanmar where Sri Lankan nationals are stranded, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said. 

Speaking to local media, the Police Spokesman said these scam farms are termed ‘scamming camps’, which was a very new concept to Sri Lanka. 

“This concept of scamming camps was discovered only this year. Suspects select separate locations, mostly consisting of rooms and a big hall where their activities can be conducted. Those at the camps are most often not allowed to leave the premises. This is similar to the situation of Sri Lankans stranded in Myanmar cyber camps,” he said. 

DIG Thalduwa further said that even though they are not allowed to venture outdoors, they are provided with their salaries.

“These scamming camps require a swimming pool for the leisure activities of the workers. They also need a house for their food requirements,” he said. 

The Police Spokesman said the scammers obtain locations under the pretext of operating a company and provide upfront payments for several months. 

“Initially the company might show as if operating with four persons, but later it could even be around 50 persons at one location. However, the numbers depend on the scope of their network. Then equipment such as laptops and desktops are brought to the location,” he said.

DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that these scammers not only target people in Sri Lanka, but globally as well. 

His comments come as over 150 foreign nationals, especially a large number of Chinese, have been arrested in the recent past for their involvement in online financial scams. (Newswire)

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Ten (10) more foreign nationals have been arrested from a hotel in Iranavila, Chillaw over their alleged involvement in online financial scams. 

The Police said the suspects were arrested by officials of the Puttalam Crimes Investigations Division based on a tip-off.

The arrested group includes 04 Malaysians, 03 Ethiopean men and one woman, one Kenyan woman, and one Chinese man. 

The Police had seized 20 computers, 03 routers, and 282 mobile phones from the possession of the suspects. 

The Puttalam Crimes Investigations Division is conducting further investigations into the incident. 

Over 150 foreign nationals have been arrested in the recent past for their involvement in online financial scams in Sri Lanka. 

The following is a list of the arrests made recently;

• 30 Chinese, 4 Indians & 6 Thai nationals were arrested from two locations in Hanwella on 06 October.
• 19 Chinese nationals were arrested from Nawala on 07 October.
• 20 Chinese nationals were arrested in Panadura on 10 October.
• 120 Chinese nationals were arrested in Kundasale on 12 October.
• 16 Chinese nationals were arrested in the Aniwatte on 13 October.
• 15 Chinese nationals were arrested in Ethul Kotte on 13 October. (Newswire)

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Thirty-one (31) more Chinese nationals have been arrested from two separate areas on suspicion of involvement in online scams in Sri Lanka.

The Police said 16 Chinese nationals were arrested from a hotel in the Aniwatte area in Kandy yesterday. 

The arrest comes after 126 Chinese nationals, 02 Vietnamese, a Thai national and a Philippine national were previously apprehended in the Naththaranpotha area in Kandy on Saturday.

Meanwhile, fifteen (15) more Chinese nationals were arrested from an apartment in the Ethul Kotte area in Welikada on Sunday. 

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is conducting further investigations into the arrests. 

Last week alone, nearly 129 foreigners, including a large number of Chinese nationals, were arrested due to their involvement in online scams.

The following is a list of the arrests made last week;

* 30 Chinese, 4 Indians & 6 Thai nationals were arrested from two locations in Hanwella on 06 October.
*19 Chinese nationals were arrested from Nawala on 07 October.
* 20 Chinese nationals were arrested in Panadura on 10 October.
* 120 Chinese nationals were arrested in Kundasale on 12 October. (Newswire)

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Twenty (20) more Chinese nationals have been apprehended on suspicion of the alleged involvement in online financial scams.

According to the Police, the suspects had been arrested from a hotel in Panadura by officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). 

The Police have also confiscated five laptops, 437 mobile phones, 332 USB cables, 17 routers, and other equipment from the suspects’ possession. 

Police investigations are underway to ascertain if the group is linked to the previously arrested foreign nationals related to online financial fraud in Sri Lanka. 

On Sunday, forty (40) foreign nationals, including 30 Chinese nationals, 04 Indian nationals and 06 Thai nationals, were arrested from two locations in Hanwella.

The Police said the group had been apprehended for allegedly committing financial fraud using Social Media and telephones.

Thereafter, on Monday this week, a further nineteen (19) Chinese nationals were arrested in Nawala.

Officials from the CID had arrested them for their alleged involvement in online scams. (Newswire)

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