Police said that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the scam, while further investigations are continuing.
According to police, preliminary findings reveal that the suspects used overseas telephone numbers resembling Sri Lankan landline numbers to contact targeted individuals, particularly account holders and professionals. During the calls, the fraudsters reportedly impersonated officials from local banks or financial institutions and falsely claimed that complaints had been lodged against the victims’ bank accounts.
Under the guise of initiating legal action, the callers then redirected the victims to accomplices pretending to be officers from investigative units of the Sri Lanka Police. These individuals conducted WhatsApp video calls dressed in uniforms resembling official police attire.
Investigators said the suspects simulated a police office setting during the calls, carried out mock interrogations and recorded statements to make the operation appear legitimate. Victims were subsequently persuaded to transfer funds from their personal accounts to multiple accounts provided by the suspects, under the pretext of verifying or securing their bank accounts.
Police further revealed that the illegally obtained funds were funneled through several intermediary accounts before being converted into cryptocurrency via Binance. Arrested suspects have reportedly confessed to transferring funds on the instructions of online contacts and receiving commissions for facilitating the transactions.
The Police urged the public not to share personal banking details, account information or online transaction credentials with unknown individuals. Anyone receiving suspicious calls or messages of this nature is advised to immediately inform the Sri Lanka Police.
