Officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) have been instructed to enforce the law against individuals fraudulently collecting money under the guise of providing foreign employment opportunities.
The directive was issued on Wednesday (Apr 24) by Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara to the officials of the SLBFE’s investigation department.
According to a Foreign Employment Ministry statement, the minister also instructed officials to take necessary measures to prevent any activities related to collecting money while falsely claiming to provide foreign employment opportunities.
He further informed the top management of the SLBFE to provide necessary facilities for conducting thorough investigations into illegal money collection under the guise of offering foreign employment opportunities.
Minister Nanayakkara noted that complaints have been received regarding an incident involving a Police Sergeant and a Buddhist monk near Anuradhapura, fraudulently collecting money while claiming to provide foreign jobs.
According to discussions with the investigative team attached to the ministry, the minister informed that anyone who has faced such an incident should file a complaint with the SLBFE’s complaint section to initiate legal action against the parties mentioned in the complaint.
Minister Manusha Nanayakkara emphasized that only licensed foreign employment agencies are authorized to receive payments for foreign employment, assuring that action would be taken against the suspects involved in this incident based on the received complaints.
“We receive complaints about money being collected under false promises of providing foreign employment opportunities on a daily basis. In response, we have assembled a comprehensive investigation team to discuss and make decisions on these matters.
“Recently, we received an anonymous complaint concerning an Israeli job scam. It was reported that approximately six hundred individuals were brought to a specific temple near Anuradhapura, with the involvement of the temple’s chief incumbent. Additionally, a person claiming to be from the police collected money under the guise of conducting medical tests. We do not disclose the name of the monk, the police station, or the area. However, if anyone has been involved in such an incident or has given money to someone under these circumstances, please visit the SLBFE promptly to file a complaint.
“If anyone has paid money to secure a foreign employment opportunity, we urge them to come to the SLBFE immediately and submit complaints to our investigation department. If anyone has made such payments, please come forward and file a complaint as soon as possible. These complaints are crucial for taking legal action against offenders.
“We have received information from various sources related to Anuradhapura regarding this matter. However, we have not yet received formal complaints. Therefore, it is crucial to submit proper complaints promptly. If you have been a victim of such a scam, regardless of your status, please visit the SLBFE and file a complaint,” he urged the public. (Newswire)