If you happen to scroll past a Facebook video today showing Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe casually offering hot stock tips or promising effortless returns on a new investment scheme, keep scrolling and hold onto your wallet. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued an urgent public warning today flagging a fresh wave of fraudulent, AI-generated videos and sponsored advertisements circulating across social media that digitally clone the Governor’s likeness and voice to lure unsuspecting investors.
Scammers have discovered that few faces carry more financial authority in Sri Lanka than the head of the Central Bank, and artificial intelligence has made it disturbingly easy to put words into his mouth. According to the CBSL, these deceptive clips splice real footage with synthetic voiceovers and lip-syncing software to make it appear as though the Governor is personally endorsing private trading platforms, quick-rich schemes, or exclusive financial advice. Clicking on the accompanying links typically funnels users toward phishing pages designed to harvest banking credentials, personal identity data, or outright cash deposits that vanish the moment they are transferred.
While the Central Bank has issued similar alerts over the past year as deepfake technology became cheaper and more convincing, the latest surge on Facebook suggests online fraudsters are aggressively targeting everyday Sri Lankans feeling the pinch of high living costs and looking for ways to stretch their savings. Information security analysts at Sri Lanka CERT have repeatedly noted that impersonation scams involving high-profile public figures remain one of the primary vectors used to trick social media users into handing over money and sensitive data.
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In its notice today, the CBSL explicitly reminded the public that neither the institution nor its Governor promotes commercial investment products, private trading apps, or guaranteed-return schemes on social media. Citizens are urged to verify any financial announcements strictly through the Central Bank’s official website and verified communication channels before making any financial commitments. The bank also appealed to social media users not to share or forward suspicious clips, even out of curiosity or amusement, as every share helps scammers reach another potential victim.
