Sri Lanka CERT (SLCERT) has warned the public about a large-scale extortion racket operating through Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp.

SLCERT stated that scammers target users through fake social media accounts before obtaining compromising images or videos and threatening to share them with victims’ relatives unless money is paid.

The public has been urged to exercise caution when responding to messages, friend requests or calls from unknown accounts and phone numbers.