Fake Tax Office Scams in Sri Lanka
Fraudsters impersonating the Inland Revenue Department of Sri Lanka to extort money from businesses and individuals.
Part of: Fake Tax Office Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Scammers impersonating the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of Sri Lanka have targeted businesses, professionals, and salaried employees by threatening prosecution for alleged unpaid taxes or misfiled returns. Victims are pressured to make immediate payments via mobile banking to avoid asset seizure or legal action.
These scams intensified following the 2022 economic crisis, when heightened awareness of government revenue collection and new tax obligations made IRD communications feel urgent and credible.
How this scam works on Sri Lanka
Victims receive phone calls from someone claiming to be an IRD officer citing a specific tax identification number and alleging underpaid income tax or VAT. The caller offers to 'settle' the matter quietly by accepting a bank transfer or mobile-money payment before the case reaches court.
Emails mimicking official IRD letterheads are sent with links to fake payment portals. The portals collect card details that are then used for further fraud.
In some cases the caller provides a genuine-sounding case reference number and the name of a real IRD branch, making the call seem official. They stress that only immediate payment will prevent public notice of tax default.
Common red flags
- Phone call demanding immediate tax payment to avoid prosecution with no prior written notice
- Request for payment via mobile banking app, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
- Email IRD link directs to a domain that is not ird.gov.lk
- Caller offers to 'settle quietly' — the real IRD does not offer unofficial settlements
- Pressure to decide within hours or face arrest
How to protect yourself
- Know that the real IRD always issues formal written assessment notices before demanding payment
- Verify any tax demand by calling the IRD directly using the official number from ird.gov.lk
- Never pay a tax demand to a personal mobile banking account
- Ask for the caller's name, badge number, and the branch they represent, then verify independently
- Consult a registered tax professional if you are unsure about your actual tax obligations
- Report suspicious IRD-branded emails to your email provider and the real IRD
How to report it
- Report impersonation to the real IRD at ird.gov.lk or call 011-2-343-900
- File a police complaint at your local Sri Lanka Police station
- Report to SLCERT at cert.gov.lk if the fraud involved a fake website
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if I actually owe tax before assuming a call is fake?
Log in directly to your account on ird.gov.lk or visit an IRD branch in person — never use a link, number, or payment portal sent to you by the caller. Any genuine outstanding liability will show up in your official IRD record independent of the call.
Why do these scammers offer to 'settle quietly' instead of just demanding the full amount?
A quiet, discounted settlement creates urgency and makes the demand feel like a favour, discouraging you from checking with the real IRD or a lawyer first. The real IRD has no mechanism for informal phone settlements, so any such offer confirms the call is fraudulent.
What should I do if someone calls me claiming to be from the IRD Sri Lanka?
Do not make any payment on the call. Ask for their full name, officer ID, and branch, then hang up and call the IRD directly on their published number. Legitimate IRD officers will never object to this procedure.