The Criminal Investigation Department has flagged a rising trend of cybercriminals impersonating police officers to defraud victims, issuing a public warning as the country enters the post-Avurudu period.
ASP W.P. Jayanethsiri said criminals typically contact victims claiming an “investigation is underway” against them and then demand money to either mitigate punishment or provide relief. The tactic exploits fear and confusion, particularly targeting people who may be less vigilant during the festive season.
The scale of the problem is significant. The CID received 10,015 cybercrime complaints in 2025, of which 3,100 were specifically related to cyber scams — including police impersonation schemes.
The warning comes as Sri Lanka’s digital footprint expands rapidly through initiatives such as QR-based fuel payments, the LankaQR payment system, and the digital public sector platform. While these programmes increase convenience, they also create new attack surfaces for cybercriminals.
The CID advised the public to never share personal information or make payments based on unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from law enforcement. Genuine police investigations are conducted through formal channels, not phone calls demanding immediate payment.
Earlier this month, SLCERT issued a separate warning about Avurudu-themed online scams, and police cautioned against online fraud during the New Year season.
