Sri Lankan police have warned of a deceptive scheme where fraudsters advertise construction materials at below-market prices on platforms like ikman and Facebook Marketplace, then arrange deliveries through legitimate hardware stores while directing payments to criminal accounts.

Law enforcement authorities have issued a public advisory regarding an emerging fraud operation that exploits online marketplace platforms to target construction sector workers and individual consumers purchasing building materials. According to police warnings, the scam involves criminals posting advertisements for items such as asbestos sheets and cement at prices substantially below typical market values on social media and classified platforms.

The scheme operates through a sophisticated three-party arrangement. Fraudsters initially contact legitimate hardware retailers operating in the victim's vicinity and request delivery of advertised goods to a specified residential or construction site address. Following the delivery, the scammer then instructs the unsuspecting customer to remit payment to a bank account under the scammer's control rather than the actual hardware store.

Victims typically discover the deception only when the delivery personnel or store representatives demand payment at the point of delivery. This creates a dual financial loss scenario where customers may have already transferred funds to the criminal account while simultaneously owing payment for received goods.

Police have recommended several protective measures for the public. These include verifying transactions directly with delivery drivers or store proprietors before making payments, ensuring bank transfers are sent only to official accounts registered to legitimate hardware businesses, and utilising cash-on-delivery payment options whenever available. Consumers are also cautioned against completing online payments based solely on goods arriving at their premises.