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Be Scam Proof

Why this page exists

Financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters constantly adopting new methods to deceive individuals and businesses. These include digital intrusions, misleading promises, impersonation, fake investment schemes, and other tactics designed to obtain money or personal information.

“Be Scam Proof” is a public awareness initiative of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka aimed at helping the public recognise scams, verify financial offers and make informed decisions before sharing personal information or parting with their money. This page brings together a collection of communication materials developed in support of that objective.

Stay alert. Question unrealistic returns. Protect your credentials. Check before you act. Be Scam Proof.

The four rules

1

Stay alert

Scammers mimic trusted messages. Verify alerts, texts, and requests before responding.

2

Question unrealistic returns

If a return looks too good for the risk involved, treat it as a warning sign, not an opportunity.

3

Protect your credentials

No genuine bank or official will ever ask for your OTP, PIN, or password over a call or message.

4

Check before you act

Verify any offer, caller, or link directly with the institution before you send money or information.

Scam files

Different scams need different defences. Expand a topic below to see how it works, how the law treats it, and the campaign material built to counter it.


Unauthorized Deposit Schemes
1. Unauthorized Deposit Schemes

Unregistered companies promise high interest to take your hard-earned cash. Always verify regulatory approval before handing over your money.

Learn more →

Plantation and Agriculture Scams
2. Plantation & Agriculture Scams

Fraudsters sell dream investments in high-yield crops or timber with guaranteed returns. Fake farms mimic real growth. Verify the land, legal registration, and harvest proof before investing.

Learn more →

Suspicious Transactions
3. Suspicious Transactions

Unexplained transfers and sudden large deposits put your account on high alert. Laundering traps mimic normal banking. Verify all incoming and outgoing payments to avoid legal trouble.

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Account Lending
4. Account Lending

Renting out your bank account or sharing your details turns you into a target. Criminals mimic legitimate requests to hide stolen cash. Verify every account transfer—you are legally responsible for your account.

Learn more →

Digital and Cyber Scams
5. Digital & Cyber Scams

Fake links, screen-sharing apps, and OTP requests mimic official bank communications. Phishing texts trap the unwary. Verify alerts directly with your bank through official channels before clicking or sharing.

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Seen a scheme? Say something

Report it directly

You can report a suspected scam or prohibited scheme to your nearest police station, or straight to the Central Bank's Financial Consumer Relations Department.

1935 CBSL public hotline
Email fcrd@cbsl.lk
WhatsApp 076 578 0000
Fax 011 247 7744
Write to Director, FCRD, No. 30, Janadhipathi Mw, Colombo 01
Read the official public notice on prohibited schemes →
Frequently asked questions

If most of the payout comes from recruiting new participants or raising existing ones' contributions — rather than from a real product or service — it qualifies, even if only one of those traits is present. Genuine businesses earn from selling something people actually want.


 

 

 

 

 

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