Sri Lanka’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has issued a public warning over a WhatsApp-based scam in which fraudsters use explicit video calls to blackmail victims into transferring money to foreign bank accounts.
According to SLCERT, scammers first compromise the target’s social network through fake Facebook accounts to identify contacts. Victims are then called on WhatsApp by what appears to be a stranger, with the caller’s video showing a naked woman. The scammer records the call, capturing the victim’s face, and later uses the footage to demand payment under threat of distributing the clip on social media.
Authorities said victims are typically directed to remit funds to a specific Indian bank account, making recovery difficult once payment is sent. NewsFirst, citing SLCERT, said the operation is being orchestrated from India, with Indian women used to entrap targets. SLCERT advised the public not to engage with unknown video calls and to report incidents promptly without paying.
Affected users can contact SLCERT on hotline 101 or by email at [email protected], or file a complaint with their nearest police station.
The advisory adds to a growing list of digital scams targeting Sri Lankan users this year, including APK banking impersonation links on WhatsApp and Telegram and SriLankan Airlines giveaway phishing on the same platform.
