Sri Lanka CERT has warned the public about fraudulent social media advertisements offering admission to foreign universities, following complaints from parents and students who have lost hundreds of thousands of rupees.

The scammers reportedly pose as representatives of leading foreign universities, promising admission, student visas, work permits and even eventual citizenship in exchange for registration fees and initial tuition payments.

Victims are often persuaded through convincing videos, photographs and documents shared via email and WhatsApp, before being asked to transfer money to foreign bank accounts. The scammers then disappear after receiving the payments, CERT said.

Sri Lanka CERT has urged the public to verify the authenticity of university representatives, documents and bank account details before making payments, and to use only legitimate and recognised channels when seeking overseas education opportunities.