Colombo, April 24: The Sri Lankan government has initiated a multi-agency investigation into a significant cyber fraud case involving $2.5 million. This amount was diverted by cybercriminals during a government payment process.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the cybercriminals gained unauthorized access to the computer system of the External Resources Department through email. They transferred the $2.5 million intended for an Australian creditor to another account.
The ministry stated that relevant agencies are working with international partners to trace the funds and identify the culprits. This case came to light when treasury officials noticed suspicious changes in account details during another payment process linked to India. Prompt investigation efforts helped prevent another potential fraud.
Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma noted that swift action allowed the detection of fraud without hindering the investigation. An internal committee of senior officials, including two deputy treasury secretaries, has been formed to examine the case and make further recommendations. Disciplinary actions have also been initiated against those responsible for procedural negligence.
Officials reported that the incident has been communicated to the Australian government, relevant creditor institutions, and parties involved in the country’s debt restructuring process. Experts assert that this incident will not affect the country’s commitment to meeting its sovereign obligations.
The Australian High Commission has stated that it is coordinating with Sri Lankan authorities and will continue to support efforts for debt stability.
Cyber fraud refers to crimes aimed at obtaining sensitive information from individuals or organizations via the internet for financial gain. Common forms include phishing, business email compromise (BEC), ransomware, and online shopping scams.
Experts recommend using strong, unique passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication to protect against such cyber attacks.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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