Fraudsters target bank deposits by posing as officials, CERT warns

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team issued a warning regarding a sophisticated financial scam where fraudsters impersonate Central Bank and Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division officials to steal money from bank depositors.

Authorities received complaints about individuals posing as institutional officials and using forged letterheads, police uniforms, bank identity cards, and rubber stamps to convince victims of their legitimacy.

Scammers contact victims via mobile phones and social media inquiring about savings and fixed deposits, falsely claiming complaints allege funds were obtained fraudulently and threatening victims with investigations.

Fraudsters dispatch forged documents featuring fake Central Bank letterheads and signatures, instructing victims to transfer half of their deposits to a specified private bank account supposedly belonging to an investigation officer and provide deposit slips as proof.

Officials urged public vigilance noting that retirees and elderly individuals remain particularly vulnerable, advising families to inform elderly relatives against responding to requests for financial information or money transfers.