Police Warn Public Against Fake Emergency Medical Appeals

The Police Anti-Scam Centre has warned the public to remain vigilant against scams that are disguised as urgent appeals for medical assistance.

Police said scammers are increasingly using fabricated medical stories and emotional narratives to solicit money from the public. With the advancement of technology, these tactics have become more sophisticated, and reports of fake medical aid requests are rising.

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Police highlighted a social media post shared by a page named Dheenuge Magu. The post claimed that a woman was suffering from a severe infection affecting her ear and brain and urgently required surgery, while also displaying a bank account number for donations.

The Anti-Scam Centre advised members of the public to verify such claims thoroughly before transferring money. Recommended precautions include using Google Image Search to determine whether images have been reused elsewhere, checking the authenticity and history of the page sharing the appeal, and calling the listed contact number to confirm its connection to the bank account and the claimed medical case.

Police also cautioned against similar scams involving false cancer treatment appeals, noting that scammers frequently exploit emotional triggers to deceive well-meaning individuals.

The Anti-Scam Centre stressed the importance of conducting careful verification and urged the public to report any suspicious posts or requests for donations to the relevant authorities.