The European Union (EU) has issued a public warning to Sri Lankans about a scam involving an individual impersonating an EU official and fraudulently offering grants and financial aid.

In a statement shared on its official Facebook and Twitter accounts on Friday, the EU said the impersonator had approached young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, falsely claiming to offer EU grants or funding opportunities.

“This is a scam,” the EU clarified, noting that the individual had reportedly accepted money from victims on the basis of false promises before disappearing.

The warning was part of a broader scam alert shared via the EU’s social media platforms.

“All EU grants and contracts are awarded strictly through official selection procedures, which include the submission and evaluation of proposals,” the statement stressed.

Sri Lankan authorities have also repeatedly urged the public to remain vigilant, as online scams and impersonation frauds have been on the rise in recent months.