The Criminal Investigation Department Sri Lanka (CID) has launched an investigation into a group accused of defrauding members of the public by posing as police officers and bank officials.
In a statement, Sri Lanka Police said the probe is being carried out by the Computer Crimes Investigation Unit of the CID following several complaints. Several suspects have already been arrested, and further investigations are ongoing.
Initial investigations reveal that the suspects used foreign telephone numbers resembling Sri Lankan landlines to contact targeted individuals, including bank account holders and professionals.
During the calls, the fraudsters allegedly impersonated representatives of local banks or financial institutions, falsely claiming that complaints had been lodged against the victims’ bank accounts. Under the pretext of initiating legal proceedings, the calls were reportedly transferred to accomplices posing as officers of Sri Lanka Police investigation units.
Police said the suspects wore uniforms resembling official police attire and made WhatsApp video calls to enhance credibility. Investigators further revealed that the suspects simulated a police office environment, conducted fake interrogations, and recorded statements to create a sense of authenticity.
Victims were then allegedly instructed to transfer funds from their personal accounts to accounts provided by the suspects, under the claim that the transfers were required to verify or secure their accounts.
Further investigations found that the defrauded funds were routed through multiple intermediary bank accounts before being converted into cryptocurrency via accounts on Binance.
The arrested suspects have reportedly stated that they acted on instructions from individuals contacted online and received commissions for facilitating the transactions.
Police have urged the public not to disclose personal banking details, account information, or online transaction PINs to unknown persons.
Members of the public are advised to immediately notify Sri Lanka Police if they receive suspicious calls or messages of this nature.
