Fake CID, Fake FCID: How Phone Scammers Are Tricking Sri Lankans
Sri Lanka Police have issued a strong public warning urging citizens to remain vigilant against a surge in fraudulent phone calls carried out by organised scam groups posing as law enforcement officers and bank officials.
Police said these fraudsters falsely identify themselves as officers from the Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), or as bank representatives, in an attempt to intimidate and deceive members of the public.
According to police, the scammers typically instill fear by claiming that the victim is under investigation for serious offences such as money laundering or financial crimes, and that immediate arrest or legal action will follow. To gain credibility, they often quote partial personal details such as the victim’s name, national identity card number, or alleged recent transactions .Police noted that victims are then instructed to keep the matter strictly confidential, including from family members, under the pretext that the investigation is classified. In some cases, scammers attempt to reinforce their deception through video calls, displaying fake offices or uniforms.
The final stage of the scam involves demanding money, either by requesting deposits or transfers to specific bank accounts, often claiming the funds are required for verification purposes, technical clearance, or temporary holding in a so-called government or treasury account. Victims may also be pressured to disclose sensitive personal and banking information such as account numbers, PINs, OTP codes, or copies of identity documents.Sri Lanka Police stressed that no police officer or government institution will ever request money, banking details, or confidential personal information over the phone. Authorities also clarified that arrests, summons, or legal notices are never communicated through telephone calls, but only via proper legal procedures such as official notices or court summons.
Members of the public who receive such suspicious calls are advised to immediately disconnect the call and refrain from sharing any information. Police recommend independently verifying the authenticity of any claim by contacting the nearest police station or calling official telephone numbers listed on the Sri Lanka Police website, rather than using numbers provided by callers.Police further urged victims to report such incidents promptly at the nearest police station, providing details including phone numbers used by scammers, WhatsApp messages, call recordings, or any other relevant information to assist investigations.
The public has also been cautioned to be mindful when sharing personal information, noting that basic details such as names, phone numbers, and identity card numbers can be easily obtained through sources such as promotional draws, registrations, or online forms.Sri Lanka Police reiterated that repeated threatening calls demanding money are a clear indication of fraud and urged the public to remain alert and cautious at all times.
