The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has issued a public advisory urging people to exercise caution when engaging with online advertisements as the festive season approaches.

Senior Information Security Engineer at SLCERT, Charuka Damunupola, said the organisation had already received several complaints regarding online scams during the first two months of this year.

He noted that with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year approaching, the risk of fraudulent advertisements and malicious links circulating online tends to increase, often appearing as attractive discounts, cash prizes, or special promotional offers.

Damunupola explained that these links frequently redirect users to fake websites designed to steal personal information and other sensitive data.

He further warned that similar scams may emerge during the Vesak and Poson periods, including deceptive campaigns promoted under titles such as “Poson Maha Data Dansala,” which attempt to collect users’ personal details.

SLCERT has therefore urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid accessing suspicious links or unsolicited advertisements encountered online.