Scammers and cyber criminals are using the tragic Sri Lanka Easter Bombing as an opportunity to target online users. The cyberthieves are using phishing emails containing links to fake online banking websites that steal banking credentials. These emails also contain fraudulent bank or Bitcoin accounts created by cyber criminals who ask online users to make donations to the Sri Lanka Easter Bombing victims. But, these donations will only go to the cyberthieves. We have also seen scammers setting up GoFundMe accounts.
Therefore, it is recommended that anyone wishing to donate to the victims of the Sri Lanka Easter Bombing, should seek out official platforms and banks, like The Salvation Army International and Red Cross, rather than using links in emails or on social media.
Also, the scammers and cybercriminals are sharing fake and malicious video files on compromised websites or on social media to trick online users into opening the same file, thinking they will view footage of the bombings. But, they will only infect their computers or mobile devices with spyware, ransomware, viruses or other malware.
The Sri Lanka Easter bombings were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred on 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, when three Christian churches across Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo were targeted in a series of suicide bombings.