Sri Lanka Capital Scam: Fake Ada Derana Article and Facebook Ads Target Sri Lankans
A fake investment campaign called “Sri Lanka Capital” is being pushed to Sri Lankans through Facebook ads, which lead unsuspecting users to a fraudulent news website mimicking Ada Derana.
The scammers have fabricated a story featuring Thilan Manjith Wijesinghe and Aban Pestonjee, claiming they’ve launched a “government-approved” platform that pays out $9,000 per month.
Thilan Wijesinghe is a Sri Lankan financier, entrepreneur, and former cricketer. He currently serves as chairman of TWCorp (Pvt) Ltd. and Sapphirus Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., and is best known as a former chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
Aban Pestonjee, founder and chairperson of the Abans Group, is one of Sri Lanka’s pioneering entrepreneurs, credited with introducing Korean technology to local consumers since 1968.
Neither of them has any connection whatsoever to this so-called “Sri Lanka Capital” scheme.
The article and ads lead to mistandmaple.online, a fake domain impersonating Ada Derana’s visual style and brand identity.
But none of this is real.
⚠️ What the Scam Claims
According to the fake Ada Derana-style page and its social media promotions:
- Thilan Wijesinghe and Aban Pestonjee have launched a national investment initiative called Sri Lanka Capital.
- The platform is officially licensed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
- Anyone can start with just $250 (≈ Rs. 75,000) and earn $5,000 – $9,000 per month.
- The system is “fully automated,” powered by AI income algorithms.
- “Verified users” have already withdrawn thousands of dollars.
Every one of these claims is false.
🖥️ Fake Facebook Ad
The campaign begins with a sponsored Facebook ad showing photos of Thilan Wijesinghe and Aban Pestonjee beside the Ada Derana logo.
The caption reads:
“Sri Lanka is in shock after yesterday’s news! Long lines formed at ATMs after Thilan Wijesinghe and Aban Pestonjee revealed their new project that allows ordinary citizens to earn up to $9,000 per month.”
Clicking Learn More opens the scam article on mistandmaple.online.
📰 The Fake Ada Derana Article
The page is a pixel-for-pixel imitation of Ada Derana’s layout — red-and-white branding, “24 News” banner, and comment sections.
It even includes a fabricated quote from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, claiming he personally approved the platform — a total invention.
💸 Fake Proof and “Earnings”
The scammers display doctored “evidence,” including:
- Bank of Ceylon and Commercial Bank cheques for thousands of dollars
- Dashboards showing “$7,700 monthly income”
- Fake PayPal-style transfer pages
These visuals are engineered to appear legitimate and lure victims into believing payouts are real.
💬 The Fake Comments Section
Below the article sit rows of fake testimonials from accounts like Yolanda M88 and Sharline P. — all claiming rapid profits.
The “VERIFIED” badges are simply decorative icons.
None of these users exist; the photos are AI-generated or stock images.
🧠 Red Flags and Lies
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Endorsed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake | ❌ False – No government approval or license exists. |
| Featured on Ada Derana 24 | ❌ Fake – Layout cloned from Ada Derana without consent. |
| $250 earns $9,000 per month | ❌ Impossible return – classic get-rich-quick lure. |
| “Verified users” earning thousands | ❌ Fabricated comments and stock photos. |
| “AI-based trading platform” | ❌ No actual trading – only scripted dashboards. |
💣 What Really Happens If You Sign Up
Scammers contact victims after clicking the Facebook ad.
They call and pressure them to register on a fake “crypto-trading” site, asking for an initial deposit of $250 (≈ Rs. 75,000).
Once payment is made, they promise “training,” “AI activation,” or “withdrawal setup.”
After that, communication usually stops — and the victim’s money is gone.
🌐 The Domain: mistandmaple.online
The domain mistandmaple.online was registered recently, most likely by an offshore fraud group.
This same template has appeared under different names in India, Malaysia, and the Philippines, all impersonating reputable news outlets to push fake investment schemes.
🛡️ What You Should Do
✅ Do not register or pay through any “Sri Lanka Capital” page.
✅ Report the ad on Facebook → Report Ad → Misleading or Scam.
✅ Check the URL — Ada Derana’s official domain is adaderana.lk.
✅ Submit evidence (screenshots / links) to HackAware.org/report or CERT|LK.
✅ Warn friends and family — these ads spread quickly through WhatsApp shares.
🧩 HackAware Analysis
This operation mirrors a global scam network that localizes fake media articles for each country.
In Sri Lanka, scammers weaponized the credibility of Ada Derana and respected business figures to gain trust.
The Facebook ad campaign indicates a paid, organized, and internationally coordinated fraud.
🧠 Final Word from DEBUGGER
This isn’t just about fake investments — it’s identity theft on a national scale.
The scammers hijacked trusted Sri Lankan personalities and a leading news outlet to prey on citizens’ financial hopes.
Know the Threat. Stop the Attack.
– DEBUGGER
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
The images, logos, and statements displayed in the screenshots are fraudulent fabrications.
Ada Derana, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Thilan Wijesinghe, and Aban Pestonjee have no connection to Sri Lanka Capital or mistandmaple.online.
This is a deliberate investment scam designed to mislead the public and steal money.
