Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Special Investigations Unit has arrested two individuals over separate foreign job scams involving more than Rs. 69 million, following complaints from victims who were promised overseas employment.
In the first incident, a retired estate manager was arrested in Warakapola for allegedly defrauding four individuals from Galle and Nikaweratiya by promising jobs in Canadian farms. The suspect had collected Rs. 13 million from each victim, totalling Rs. 52 million, but failed to secure employment as promised.
Based on complaints received, officers arrested the suspect at his residence in the Ambalagakanda area, Warakapola. During the raid, authorities also recovered three agreements related to Cyprus job offers, for which he had obtained Rs. 75,000 per person. The suspect was produced before the Warakapola Magistrate’s Court and remanded.
In a separate case, a woman was arrested on November 17 for defrauding a complainant of Rs. 1.7 million by promising employment in Switzerland. The suspect, a public relations officer at a leading private hospital in Colombo, had evaded arrest on several occasions. Acting on intelligence, officers apprehended her at her workplace and produced her before the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court, where she was remanded until November 25.
The SLBFE stated that it receives a large number of complaints daily regarding fraudulent foreign job agents and has expanded its operations to apprehend those involved. The public is urged to report information on illegal foreign employment agencies or individuals via the hotline 011 288 2228. (Newswire)
