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Top companies’ names misused; beware of WhatsApp groups offering extra income
A scam using reputed companies as a front has caught the attention of hundreds of people as they have been added to WhatsApp groups offering them “extra income.”
The groups identify themselves as “digital marketing agencies” associated with top companies.
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team’s (CERT) Senior Information Security Engineer, Charuka Damunupola, said: “Somehow, they have managed to get hold of the mobile numbers in the systems of these reputed companies, and we’re still not sure how they got these numbers.”
He said the scammers first ask those who engage with them to complete a simple task, such as rating IMDB (Internet Movie Database) movies. He confirmed that those who rated the movies have legitimately been paid amounts ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5000. “After some of the required tasks are completed, they will ask you to go for a higher level to gain a higher income and unlock the next level,” Mr. Damunupola said.
At this level, the scammers promise a higher income ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000. “At this point, the victims have established a level of trust with the scammers, believing that this is a genuine case, as they have already been paid for the completed tasks,” he said.
“To unlock this next level, you have to pay them around Rs. 20,000,” Mr. Damunupola said. After receiving the money from the victim, the scammers reportedly would block the contact of the victim.
As of yesterday, CERT has received fifteen complaints, while a majority of the consumers have complained to the companies involved, and the companies have alerted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The Sunday Times contacted some of these companies and was told that they were not linked with these “digital marketing agencies” by any means.
In a statement to the Sunday Times, Hayleys PLC said, “These groups are not connected to or endorsed by the Hayleys Group or any of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, Hayleys has no obligation whatsoever to make any such payments.
“Unauthorised use of our name and/or logo violates our intellectual property rights. Civil and criminal action will be taken against the wrongdoers.”
The Sunday Times learns the authorities are identifying the fraudsters as most “admins” of the WhatsApp groups are linked with foreign numbers while the local numbers have been deactivated.
The CID’s Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) confirmed the scam, and fact-checking teams such as FactSeeker of the Sri Lanka Press Institute have investigated and confirmed the scam, while CERT and the organisations involved have issued warnings on their websites.
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