By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lankan bank depositors are being targeted by a sophisticated financial scam in which fraudsters impersonate officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has warned.
The scammers are using forged official documents, fake signatures, rubber stamps and other materials to convince victims that they are dealing with legitimate government officials before pressuring them into transferring their savings.
SLCERT said it has received complaints involving individuals posing as officials of the CBSL and the FCID and warned that the scam is being carried out in a highly organised manner.
How the scam begins
According to SLCERT, fraudsters initially contact potential victims through mobile phones or social media platforms.
They then ask questions about the victim’s savings and fixed deposit accounts, giving the impression that they already possess information about the individual’s financial affairs.
The scammers subsequently claim that complaints have been lodged alleging that the victim’s money was obtained through fraudulent activities.
The victims are then threatened with an investigation by the FCID, creating fear and a sense of urgency.
As the scam progresses, the fraudsters send forged letters carrying fake CBSL letterheads, purported signatures of officials and rubber stamps designed to make the documents appear authentic.
Victims are then instructed to transfer their money to a designated account maintained at another private bank.
Depositors pressured to transfer their savings
SLCERT has said the scammers claim that the account belongs to an FCID officer.
In some cases, victims are initially instructed to transfer half of the money held in their accounts.
After the transfer is made, the fraudsters request a copy or photograph of the bank deposit slip as proof that the payment has been completed.
This allows the scammers to reinforce the deception while obtaining confirmation that the victim has complied with their instructions.
The highly personalised nature of the approach appears to be a key feature of the scheme, with fraudsters first gathering information about a victim’s deposits before making demands for money.
Fake uniforms and identification
SLCERT has warned that the operation goes beyond simple phone-based impersonation.
According to the agency, those behind the scam reportedly possess police uniforms, bank identification cards and rubber stamps, which they use to create an appearance of official authority.
The availability of such materials makes it more difficult for unsuspecting members of the public to immediately recognise that they are dealing with criminals.
The scam also exploits the fear of being investigated for financial crimes, with victims being made to believe that failure to cooperate could result in action by law enforcement authorities.
Elderly and retired people at greater risk
SLCERT has urged the public to remain particularly vigilant, warning that elderly people and retirees could be especially vulnerable to this type of fraud.
The agency has called on families to make elderly relatives aware of the scam and advise them not to provide financial information or transfer money in response to unsolicited calls, messages or letters.
Members of the public should be particularly cautious when contacted by anyone claiming to represent a government institution and demanding access to savings or requesting a transfer of funds.
A simple rule could prevent major losses
The latest warning highlights how scammers are increasingly combining social engineering with forged official documents to make financial fraud appear credible.
Members of the public should not assume that a document carrying an official-looking letterhead, signature or rubber stamp is genuine.
Anyone receiving such a demand should independently verify the identity of the person contacting them through the relevant institution’s official channels before taking any action.
Most importantly, members of the public should not transfer money, disclose banking credentials or share deposit information merely because someone claims that the request is connected to an investigation.
With scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, SLCERT’s warning serves as a reminder that protecting personal savings increasingly requires vigilance not only online, but also when dealing with apparently official communications.
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