The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has reported a sharp rise in complaints related to money being solicited through WhatsApp scams.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) W. G. Jayanethsiri said that a significant number of such complaints have been received in recent days, warning the public to be vigilant when using WhatsApp and group chats.
Explaining how the scam works, he said fraudsters first obtain the phone number of a well-known or respected individual. They then send a message resembling that person’s usual activities — such as an invitation to a Zoom meeting on a familiar topic — including a link to join.
Once the recipient clicks the link, they receive a follow-up message asking them to share a code sent to confirm participation. That code, however, is actually a One-Time Password (OTP) generated by WhatsApp.
When the victim shares the OTP, the scammer gains full access to the WhatsApp account, including personal data and contact lists. The scammer then sends messages to the victim’s contacts, claiming to face an emergency and requesting money transfers.
ASP Jayanethsiri noted that many victims only realize their accounts have been compromised after several days, by which time others in their contact list may also have fallen prey to the scam.
