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Videos of investment schemes are being promoted on social media, claiming to provide high returns in a short period of time. A video of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promoting such an investment scheme has been circulated on social media, and we are investigating the facts below.
Social Media Posts:
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake explaining how you can invest an initial Rs. 80,000 today and grow it to Rs. 1,000,000 by next month, claiming that the National Investment Fund has officially approved a high-yield investment scheme for Sri Lankan citizens. It further states that this investment is a proven financial system designed to stabilize the economy by enriching the people. It was also claimed that this investment had been approved by the Central Bank.
We proceeded to investigate this as follows.
Fact Check:
The media outlet had not published the news item shown in the video posted on social media, which purports to be a news item published on the Ada Derana channel.
It is also evident that the President has never promoted such an investment scheme, and that such fake investment schemes have been circulating on social media from time to time, claiming that prominent figures in society have introduced investments that provide high returns in a very short period of time.
This fake investment is promoted through videos created using artificial intelligence, with the intention of being presented by public figures, announcers, and journalists in the public media.
Central Bank of Sri Lanka
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka also confirms that under no circumstances should you be fooled by such fraudulent investment schemes that claim to make incredibly large returns in a short period of time.
They also point out that many people have been deceived by such fraudulent and bogus investment schemes and have wasted their money.
Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Forum
When we inquired with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT), they stated that this is a scam. They also warn the public to be careful about such fraudulent online schemes. They add that they regularly receive complaints from people who have fallen victim to such scams, and warn the public not to be fooled by fake investment schemes that often come from unknown sources.
Cyber Security Expert Asela Waidyalankara
Cybersecurity expert Asela Waidyalankara noted that these misleading links are designed to entice users to give away personal information, including Facebook login details, by clicking on them. Such posts are made to appear trustworthy but ultimately trick people into revealing sensitive information or investing in fraudulent schemes.
To attract victims, these scams often use the promise of easy, high returns on investments, using the guise of famous people in society to lure victims into financial scams.
How to identify such frauds?
Incredible financial returns: Claims to offer incredible financial returns that attract the masses. Claims to provide returns of more than three times the investment within a month.
Fake news articles: Fraudsters often create fake newspaper clippings to make these scams appear legitimate.
External links: Clicking on suspicious links can lead to phishing websites that steal passwords or personal information that can be used to log into accounts.
Temptation: Scammers often use words like “limited offer” or “sign up today” to get people to take action without verifying the information first.
Readers can see that these investments are fake investments and fake promotions, and that these frauds are carried out using the same methodology, as you can see by reading the fact-finding reports related to these fake investments. Accordingly, inform yourself and your loved ones about this so that you do not fall for fake investments that claim to provide such incredible benefits!
Below are the fact-finding reports we have previously conducted to educate the public about fake social media posts and videos created using AI to present profitable investment methods introduced by prominent individuals.
Yohani reveals an income source that brings amazing benefits in the program ‘Dhanuta Kanya’?
Did President Anura reveal a government investment opportunity that will yield amazing returns?
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Conclusion:
Our investigation shows that the video of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promoting an investment scheme is not genuine, but an AI-generated fake used to promote a fraudulent investment scheme. We urge you, the reader, not to be fooled by fake investment schemes that promise huge returns in a short time.
Title: Fact Check: AI-Generated Scam Video Falsely Claims President Anura Promotes a High-Return Investment Scheme
Fact Check By: Pavithra Sandamali
Result: False
