Police warn of social media scams using officers’ photographs

Sri Lanka Police unveiled several telephone numbers for the public to report financial scams carried out through social media by fraudsters posing as police officers.

The Police Media Division said in a statement that, despite earlier warnings, members of the public continued to fall victim to the scams.

Fraudsters have used computers and mobile phones to create fake WhatsApp and Telegram accounts displaying photographs of police officers, the statement said.

Police stressed that they do not charge members of the public for conducting investigations and urged people to report individuals or groups seeking money while claiming to represent the police.

Complaints can be made to supervising officers of the Computer Crime Investigation Division on 071 859 2918 or 071 859 1765, or by calling 0112 300 756.