Sri Lanka CERT Warns Public About Online Investment Scams

27-Jun-2026

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The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has warned the public about sophisticated online investment scams after a retired 70-year-old engineer lost more than Rs. 9 million through a fraudulent WhatsApp investment scheme.

The victim, who was financially secure and technologically literate, was persuaded to invest with promises that his money would double every three months. After initially receiving fake returns, he invested over Rs. 9 million before realising he had been defrauded. Scammers even attempted to convince him to sell his house and invest the proceeds.

SLCERT intervened before further losses occurred and referred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The agency has urged the public, particularly retirees and elderly individuals, to avoid investment schemes offering unrealistically high returns and encouraged families to remain vigilant about the financial activities of vulnerable relatives.