Police alert on scams using officer photos on social media

The Sri Lanka Police have requested the public to remain highly vigilant as there has been a significant increase in financial frauds carried out via social media using photographs of police officers and fake documents.

The Police Media Division stated in a press release that fraudsters are operating this scheme by creating fake WhatsApp and Telegram accounts using computers and mobile phones. Based on complaints received, several suspects have already been arrested following investigations.

The police say that offenders impersonate institutions such as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), or other police investigation units and contact people via office or personal phone calls. They use fear tactics such as claiming “fraud has been committed using your National Identity Card,” “a bank card issued in your name has defaulted on payments from an unknown location,” or “your bank account has been used for money laundering and legal action will be taken.”

It is also reported that they send fake official logos, documents, and photos of police officers via WhatsApp, claiming it is part of a confidential investigation and pretending to seek public assistance.

The police urge the public not to take immediate action upon receiving documents bearing government logos through social media, but to report such incidents to the nearest police station.

Sri Lanka Police also emphasize that no payment is ever requested from the public for any investigation. If anyone has information about such frauds, they are requested to contact the Computer Crimes Investigation Division using the following numbers:

Supervisory Officers: 071-8592918 / 071-8591765
Computer Crimes Investigation Division: 011-2300756

Additionally, the public may also visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and submit written complaints.