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Every day on social media, users come across posts showing well known personalities promoting investment schemes that claim to offer unbelievable profits. But are these truly legitimate opportunities?
Factcrescendo has investigated and uncovered the truth behind these claims.
Social Media Posts :
Posts circulating online claim that Sri Lankan citizens can invest Rs. 75,000 and earn up to Rs. 750,000 per month in interest, supposedly through a government program announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a public address.
Links to register for these “programs” are shared with such posts, followed by videos allegedly showing the President promoting these investments.
Other videos feature figures like Charith from “WildBook”, who supposedly revealed that investing Rs. 75,000 could yield Rs. 300,000 within a single day.
A video falsely claiming that former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara is promoting a lucrative investment opportunity has also gone viral on social media.
Similar posts also mentioned Otara Gunawardena in connection with this investment scheme.
An article further promoted a platform called NetherexPro, stating that citizens could receive Rs. 750,000 for life by investing Rs. 75,000 on the website.
Additionally, a video circulated on Facebook showed billionaire businessman Dhammika Perera allegedly promoting a financial investment platform, claiming that an initial investment of Rs. 75,000 could double to Rs. 150,000.
In a live interview on the Tell Danuta program by Lankadeepa newspaper, Sri Lankan singer Yohani de Silva reportedly faced legal issues after revealing a purportedly easy and profitable source of income, leading to discussions about the economic implications of such investment schemes.
Fact-Check:
Scam Involving President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
No credible or mainstream media outlet has reported that the President announced such a government investment plan offering unrealistic returns.
Neither the Ministry of Finance nor the President’s Media Division has issued any statement confirming such a program.
Viral AI-Generated Video Falsely Claims President Anura Endorsed Investment Plan
Scam Involving Charith from ‘WildBook’
A review of the Hari TV YouTube interview featuring Charith N. Silva shows that he did not discuss any investment schemes. The video circulating online is doctored with misleading claims.
Scam Involving Otara Gunewardene
A fake news article designed to appear as if it was published on the Ada Derana website falsely linked Otara Gunewardene and former cricketer Kumar Sangakkara to such investments. These fabricated reports have since been removed or replaced with other false claims linking Otara and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Scam Involving Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya
Another fake article claimed that Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya had announced an investment plan on News First’s “Face to Face” program, promising citizens Rs. 750,000 monthly returns.
However, the actual program discussed political topics related to the presidential election. No mention of any investment scheme was made.
Even the article falsely named the program’s host as Janaka Kariyawasam, while the real host is Sharlen Kevin Benedict.
මෙරට සෑම පුද්ගලයෙක්ට ම මාසයකට රු.750,000ක් ලබාගත හැකි ක්රමවේදයක් ගැන අගමැති හරිනි පැවසුවා ද?
Scam Involving Dhammika Perera
Dhammika Perera has never made such a statement or promoted any investment platform. The video circulating on social media is fabricated.
AI-Generated Deepfake Video of Billionaire Dhammika Perera Goes Viral on Facebook!
Scam Involving Yohani De Silva
Factcrescendo verified claims that Yohani discussed profitable investments on “Dhanuta Kiyanna” hosted by Dhanu Innasithamby.
Upon reviewing the full interview uploaded to YouTube on February 9, 2024, it was confirmed that no such discussion occurred. Yohani did not mention any investment or cryptocurrency topic.
Fact-Check: Yohani’s Alleged Millions & Danu’s Interview – The Truth Behind the Viral Claim!
Expert Opinions
Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT):
SLCERT confirmed that these are fraudulent online scams, warning the public to stay vigilant against such deceptive offers.
Cybersecurity Expert Asela Waidyalankara
He explained that these scams are designed to trick users into clicking malicious links that steal personal or Facebook login details.
The posts are made to look highly credible but ultimately aim to collect sensitive information or lure people into fake investments.
How to Identify Such Scams
Unrealistic Promises:
Claims of massive, unbelievable profits (e.g., tripling your money in a month) are a major red flag.
Fake News Articles:
Scammers create counterfeit news snippets to make their schemes look legitimate.
Suspicious Links:
Clicking unfamiliar links may lead to phishing sites that steal login credentials or personal data.
Pressure Tactics:
Scammers often use phrases like “limited offer” or “register today” to push people into acting without verifying authenticity.
These “investment” programs are fake, the promotions are fraudulent, and they all follow the same deceptive pattern.
Be alert and help your loved ones stay aware do not fall for promises of unbelievable returns!
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Title:Don’t Fall for Fake Investment Schemes Promoted Through Popular Public Figures!
Fact Check By: Pavithra SandamaliResult: False
