Sri Lanka is witnessing a surge in online job scams, particularly through the Telegram messaging app, leading to over 150 complaints filed with the police this year. SSP Dharshika Kumari, head of the Computer Crimes Investigation Unit at Sri Lanka Police, highlights the alarming increase in scams targeting the country’s youth.
Perpetrators of these scams typically initiate contact by sending messages, often through popular platforms like Telegram, offering enticing job opportunities. The scam promises a work-from-home setup, flexible hours, and requires no prior experience, luring unsuspecting individuals into their trap.
The fraudulent scheme unfolds with scammers assigning simple tasks such as liking clicks or participating in online voting. To gain the victim’s trust, scammers initially offer a quick reward of Rs 2000. Subsequently, victims are coerced into undertaking larger tasks and encouraged to invest in the promise of higher returns.
A police official has revealed that these scams take a more sinister turn when victims are asked to deposit significant amounts, ranging from Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000. Once the deposit is made, scammers vanish with the money, leaving victims in financial distress. Shockingly, some individuals have reported losses exceeding 6 million rupees.
Authorities are urging caution among users of the Telegram app, advising them to be vigilant when engaging in conversations with unknown individuals. The police emphasize the importance of verifying the legitimacy of job offers and refraining from sharing personal or financial information without proper verification. (LankaXpress.com )
