Major scam using public pictures on Facebook

February 16, 2024 at 9:44 AM

Two individuals engaged in financial fraud by creating fake National Identity Cards (NIC) using photographs shared on social media have been arrested by the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Sri Lanka Police. 

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said the suspects were found to have created fake documents to open accounts at private banks and to also obtain loans using the false information.

The suspects had defrauded the public and deposited money into the bank accounts opened using fake documents.

They had used information and images from social media to create fake National Identity Cards (NIC) and Driving Licences, among other documents, he told the media.

DIG Thalduwa further said that the suspects were arrested based on a complaint filed by an individual whose email and WhatsApp accounts had been hacked by the suspects to defraud him.

One suspect, who is a university graduate with knowledge related to computers, was found to have created the fake documents.

The Police seized 28 fake NICs, 32 fake driving licences, 3 mobile phones, 5 fake temporary driving licences, 18 SIM cards, and a computer from the suspect’s possession.

The chief suspect is a 35-year-old resident of Webada, Gampaha, while the other suspect is a 27-year-old also from Gampaha. 

The Police Spokesman said the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department is investigating the matter. (NewsWire)