Sri Lanka Police warn the public to remain vigilant regarding financial irregularities and frauds carried out through social media networks using photos of police officers and fraudulently posing as police personnel.

Police Headquarters states that complaints are frequently received regarding financial scams committed by organised groups using photos of police officers through social media networks such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and police have conducted investigations into this matter and arrested several suspects.

These scams involve placing calls to landline or mobile phones claiming to be from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department, or an investigation unit of Sri Lanka Police.

Scammers intimidate individuals by claiming a bank card was obtained from an unknown area, and payments were defaulted on, or that the relevant bank accounts were used for Money Laundering, leading to prosecution.

Scammers send fake police official logos, documents, and photos of officers via WhatsApp while claiming to conduct a confidential investigation, implying release if assistance is provided.

Reports indicate they obtain OTP numbers to log into bank accounts under the guise of releasing frozen accounts for 'Verification', persuade individuals to transfer money to other accounts, or pressure them to make payments via cryptocurrency such as USDT.

Police therefore request the public to refrain from providing such information for their safety.

It should be understood that no state or private institution requests the National Identity Card number, bank account details, card numbers, CVV number, passwords, or OTP numbers via phone calls or WhatsApp, and calls requesting such information are fraudulent.

Police advise against transferring money to other accounts out of fear of threats to freeze accounts or prosecute, and notify that if any doubt exists, information should be verified by calling the relevant bank or institution via its official phone number.

Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department, or the Central Bank of Sri Lanka never conduct investigations via personal WhatsApp numbers, nor do they request money deposits by providing bank account numbers.

Official notifications are sent in writing, and when necessary, officers dressed in uniform will arrive.

Police advise that if such fake documents are received via WhatsApp or social media, the nearest police station should be informed immediately.

Police also advise refraining from using online wins and suspicious links published by unknown persons and social media network links.

Police Headquarters emphasises that Sri Lanka Police does not charge money from the public for any investigation.

Therefore, the public is requested to immediately inform the Computer Crime Investigation Division regarding fraudulent individuals or groups attempting to obtain money by posing as police officers or claiming it is for investigations via the following phone numbers:

Director of the Computer Crime Investigation Division: 071 - 8592918

Officers of the Computer Crime Investigation Division: 071 - 8591765

Computer Crime Investigation Division (Office): 011 - 2300756

Police further state that the capability exists to visit the Criminal Investigation Department and make complaints in writing regarding such frauds.