Scammed in Seconds: Police Warn of a Dangerous Digital Trend

What begins as a simple message often appears harmless - even promising.

“Work from home. Earn in dollars.”
“Guaranteed job in Europe.”
“Fast-track university admission.”

For many Sri Lankans browsing WhatsApp or Telegram late at night, such messages seem like a rare opportunity. However, police warn these offers are frequently the first step in sophisticated financial scams designed to exploit trust and desperation.

Scams Built on Emotional Manipulation

According to the Police Media Division, online financial fraud has surged, driven largely by social media platforms and encrypted messaging services. Unlike traditional cybercrime, these scams rely less on advanced technology and more on psychological tactics.

Scammers often pretend to be recruitment agents, education consultants, or financial facilitators, advertising overseas jobs, online income schemes, or study opportunities — commonly linked to Europe. Victims are gradually persuaded to provide details to “confirm” their identity, “activate” accounts, or pay supposed processing fees.

This is where the fraud escalates.

How Victims Are Exploited

Under deceptive claims, scammers obtain sensitive information, including bank details, login credentials, one-time passwords (OTPs), and QR codes connected to digital wallets. In some cases, victims are convinced to transfer funds through their own bank accounts, unknowingly assisting in money laundering.

By the time victims realise something is wrong, their accounts have been drained, personal data compromised, and all contact with the scammers cut off.

Focus on Northern and Eastern Provinces

Police investigations show a growing number of large-scale scam cases originating in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Authorities believe this trend is linked to high youth unemployment, strong interest in foreign employment, and widespread smartphone usage combined with limited access to verified migration guidance.

Fraudsters commonly apply pressure by claiming offers are time-limited, presenting forged documents, using fake institutional logos, or impersonating officials — all designed to appear credible and urgent.

The Trap of ‘Easy’ Online Income

Another popular scam involves online earning schemes. Victims are added to messaging groups where participants share screenshots of supposed profits. Small payments may be made initially to gain trust. Soon after, victims are asked to invest more money, scan QR codes, or install apps.

Once this happens, scammers gain control. Malicious apps steal data, QR codes redirect funds, and browser extensions capture passwords, turning a promised side income into continuous financial loss.

Police Advice to the Public

The Police Media Division emphasises that genuine employment and education opportunities do not operate in secrecy or through random messages.

Foreign employment and overseas study should only be pursued via registered and government-approved institutions, including the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and recognised education authorities.

Police urge the public to follow these key precautions:

• Avoid income offers from unknown individuals or unverified social media groups.

• Never scan QR codes or download apps and extensions shared by strangers.

• Do not transfer money to unfamiliar accounts or allow others to use your bank account.

• Never share banking details, passwords, or OTPs with anyone.

• Be cautious when installing mobile apps and granting device permissions without verification.

Awareness as the First Line of Defence

Police stress that modern online scams are organised, adaptable, and often cross-border operations. Their success depends not on hacking systems, but on exploiting human trust.

Authorities say prevention starts with awareness — pausing before clicking, questioning before sharing, and verifying before believing.

In today’s digital environment, caution is not fear; it is protection.

And as police remind the public: if an online offer sounds too quick, too simple, or too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

(Source: lankanews.lk)