Sri Lanka warns of fake foreign university admission scams on social media

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has issued a warning following multiple complaints from parents and students who fell victim to deceptive social media advertisements offering admission to foreign universities.

According to SLCERT, the scammers use convincing advertisements on various social media platforms to lure prospective students with promises of easy university placements abroad. Victims have reported losing substantial sums of money ranging in the hundreds of thousands of rupees after responding to these fraudulent postings.

The fake advertisements typically claim to facilitate admission to prestigious foreign educational institutions, often requiring upfront payments for application fees, visa processing, or other supposed administrative costs. Once payment is made, the scammers disappear, leaving victims with no admission offers and no recourse to recover their funds.

SLCERT has advised students and parents to exercise caution when encountering unsolicited university admission offers on social media. The agency recommends verifying any university claims directly through official institutional channels and being wary of schemes that promise guaranteed placements or expedited admission processes.

Members of the public who encounter such scams are encouraged to report them to SLCERT and relevant authorities to help prevent further fraud and assist in potential investigations against the perpetrators.