Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member Mujibur Rahman says his WhatsApp account has been hacked, with an online financial scam targeting his close associates.
The former MP filed a complaint today with the cybercrimes unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in this regard.
Speaking to the media after filing his complaint, Mujibur Rahman said his WhatsApp account had been hacked and several of his close associates had received messages through his mobile number requesting money.
“WhatsApp messages have been sent to my close associates claiming to be and requesting money. Two bank account numbers have also been shared to deposit money. I was notified of this by a friend,” he said.
Stating that some of his close associates had attempted to transfer money to the said bank accounts, the former MP said this was a serious issue.
Mujibur Rahman pointed out that either a group or an individual is engaging in this financial scam at a time when some politicians contesting the General Election were engaging in election campaigning.
It is reported that Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a rise in WhatsApp account hacks, with cybercriminals using verification code manipulation to gain access to accounts and defraud contacts.
In recent incidents, users have reported receiving unexpected WhatsApp verification codes. Scammers then contact users, posing as friends or acquaintances, to request the code, which, once shared, grants hackers control over the account.