Scammers pose as Inland Revenue officials in new fraud attempt

Scammers impersonating Inland Revenue Department officials are trying to trick taxpayers into making payments through fraudulent links, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team warned.

The warning follows a complaint by a businessman who received a phone call from a number beginning with “0113”, with the caller claiming to be from the head office of the Inland Revenue Department.

The caller addressed the businessman by name and requested his Taxpayer Identification Number. The caller then claimed that the businessman failed to pay taxes and could face legal action unless an immediate payment occurred.

To facilitate the payment, the caller said a payment link would arrive and requested the businessman’s WhatsApp number or email address. However, becoming suspicious as he lacked awareness of any such payment method, the businessman ended the call.

When he later attempted to call the number back, there was no response. A few minutes later, he received another call from the same number. During the second conversation, the caller allegedly became more aggressive, warning him to make the payment to avoid legal consequences.

The businessman ignored subsequent calls and reported the incident to the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team. Following inquiries, it emerged that the Inland Revenue Department does not send payment links to taxpayers. Tax payments only occur through authorised banking channels and official procedures.

Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team warned that had the businessman followed the link and entered his details, sensitive personal information could have been compromised and money could have been stolen.

The agency urged the public to verify the authenticity of calls claiming to be from the Inland Revenue Department and to refrain from sharing personal tax information, including Taxpayer Identification Numbers, with unknown individuals.

It also advised taxpayers to obtain tax-related information only through official channels.