According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, there are several types of online scams that target Sri Lankans, especially through social media, Internet-based applications and mobile payment applications https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/news/beware-of-online-financial-frauds-and-scams. Some of the most common online scams are:
• Lottery scams: These scams claim that you have won a lot of money or prizes in a lottery or a green card to the USA. They ask you to pay a fee or share your personal information to receive the prize.
• Job and employment scams: These scams offer you work from home opportunities or business investments with high returns. They ask you to pay a registration fee or share your personal information to get started.
• Online shopping scams: These scams use fake websites or social media platforms to sell well-known brands at very low prices. They ask you to pay online and then either send you fake products or nothing at all.
• Charity and medical scams: These scams use emotional appeals to ask you to donate for a good cause, such as a natural disaster, a sick child or an animal welfare. They ask you to pay online or share your personal information to make the donation.
To avoid these scams, you should practice good cyber hygiene and be vigilant of any suspicious offers or requests. You should not click on links or open attachments from unknown sources, and you should not provide your personal or financial information in response to any email, phone call or text message. You should also check the credibility and reputation of the websites or sellers before making any online transactions. If you encounter any online scam, you should report it to the Sri Lanka CERT https://www.onlinesafety.lk/2021/06/18/be-vigilant-avoid-yourself-from-becoming-a-victim-of-a-scam/, which is the national cyber security agency.