CENTRAL BANK WARNS THE PUBLIC ON SCAM EMAILS
The Central Bank yesterday warned the general public to be cautious about scam emails or social media messages that used fake letterheads with CBSL logo.
CBSL Communications Department said the decision was taken considering complaints received by the CBSL and the attention was drawn to make the general public aware of the dangers.
They said several emails had been received by people claiming that they had won a large cash prize in foreign currency through a mobile number draw or through a certain wellknown international brand promotional campaign.
The emails had also requested the receiver to deposit a certain amount of funds to claim their prizes.
The emails had requested to obtain personal information such as passport, national identity card numbers (NICS) or bank account details for authentication purposes and to send cash prizes.
“The scammers and fraudsters sent emails with letterhead, designed with the CBSL logo, the image of the CBSL head office and several names of CBSL senior officials to make the emails trustworthy,” the official said.
“According to complaints fake email addresses were cbs. banklanka@asia.com, info@ cbsl-lk.com, customercare@ cbsl-lk.com were used to fraud the people,” he said. The emails were sent to randomly selected people, mostly from the rural areas. “The CBSL informs the general public that the CBSL has no involvement with such reward schemes. The CBSL has already reported this matter to relevant law enforcement authorities for necessary action.
“The general public was asked to be vigilant and not to fall victim of such financial scams and to respond to such promises of monetary giveaways by first contacting respective institutions or company that the suspicious email claims to be from to confirm the authenticity of such emails and if found to be a scam, to inform the nearest Police Station for investigations immediately,” the official said.
The scammers and fraudsters sent emails with letterhead, designed with the CBSL logo, the image of the CBSL head office and several names of CBSL senior officials to make the emails trustworthy