Scams exist on every online marketplace, and Sri Lanka classifieds sites are no exception. The good news is that most scams follow a small number of repeated patterns — once you can recognize them, they become easy to avoid.
The "Pay Before We Meet" Request
Be cautious of anyone asking for an upfront deposit, "booking fee," or advance transfer to an unfamiliar bank account or mobile wallet before you have ever met or spoken properly. Legitimate arrangements rarely require payment to a stranger before any contact has been verified.
Fake "Verification" or Booking Fees
A common tactic is someone posing as an agent or the platform itself, asking browsers to pay a "verification fee" to unlock contact details. SL Ads Hub never charges anyone to browse, view, or contact a listing — the only payment on the platform is made by a poster, directly through PayPal, to publish their own ad.
Phishing Links in Chat Apps
Messages sent over WhatsApp or Telegram sometimes include shortened or unfamiliar links to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials. Never enter your phone number, OTP code, or password on a page you reached through a chat link — always navigate to SL Ads Hub directly.
- Prices far below market rate paired with "today only" urgency
- Profiles that refuse a phone or video call and stall with vague answers
- Requests for payment via gift cards, crypto, or other untraceable methods
- Someone asking for your OTP code or login details for "verification"
- Identical photos reused across many different listings
What to Do If You Spot a Scam
Stop responding, and use the Report Abuse option to flag the listing so it can be reviewed. If you have already shared sensitive information, change any reused passwords and monitor your accounts. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it usually is.
Never share an OTP code
No legitimate contact — and no one from SL Ads Hub — will ever ask for the one-time code sent to your phone. Treat any such request as an immediate red flag.
Staying alert protects the whole community. Browsing SL Ads Hub is always free, ads go through moderation before they publish, and reported listings are reviewed to keep the platform trustworthy for everyone in Sri Lanka.
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