Beware of fake weblinks promoting election related frauds

Colombo, August 14 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team | Coordination Centre (SLCERT|CC) warned the general public not to click on links that promote collecting personal information during the election period.

SLCERT Senior Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola told the Daily Mirror that a website collecting personal sensitive information under the pretext of official services was discovered targeting the presidential election.

“The fake website closely resembled the official Elections Commission website. It advertised the recruitment of new employees for various public sector vacancies ahead of the election and mentioned that a portal was open to accepting new applications free of charge,” he explained.

“After a successful login, applicants were prompted to fill out a questionnaire with personal information. At the end, a message instructed them to share a final link among several WhatsApp groups,” he added.

The Election Commission, having received complaints, requested an investigation into the matter. Two victims also lodged complaints with SLCERT, Damunupola said.

SLCERT took immediate action to shut down the malicious website.

However, Damunupola advised the public not to click on fake invitation links and websites circulated via social media groups, urging everyone to verify the details through published contact information and official government institutions.