The national center for cyber security in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team | Coordination Centre (Sri Lanka CERT|CC) issued a warning to all internet users to safeguard themselves from various offers available online via ad-clicking.

Sri Lanka CERT|CC Information Security Engineer Roshan Chandraguptha speaking to Daily Mirror said, the pyramid scheme frauds have now invaded the internet and are targeting internet users. He pointed out that the schemes trick the users into signing up for their schemes through placing deceptive advertisements on popular websites and social media including Facebook and Twitter.

“Unsuspecting persons looking for quick money are easily targeted and the money they invest on this fraudulent system may never be recovered,” he warned.

“During the past few years there were thousands of people who lost their money through pyramid schemes. This common malpractice was initially reported in Sri Lanka as early as 1998. As a result of the lack of anti-pyramid scheme laws in the country back then, the scam spread widely. Now with the introduction of necessary laws in the country, it has taken a new evolutionary path,” he said while requesting all internet users to be wary of enrolling for various offers advertised online. (Lakna Paranamanna)