Suspects Arrested and Complaints Reported in Foreign Employment Fraud Cases

A 48-year-old suspect, a resident of Elutthur, Mannar, who allegedly defrauded Rs. 1,705,000 by falsely promising to facilitate employment in Canada, was arrested by officers of the Negombo Special Crimes Division on 24 January 2026.

The suspect was produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and has been remanded until 03 February 2026.

In a separate incident, a complaint has been reported regarding a fraud involving Rs. 915,000, in which a suspect allegedly promised employment in Romania.

According to the complaint, a woman from the Anuradhapura area was deceived by an acquaintance and initially paid Rs. 470,000 for preliminary arrangements. Subsequently, after being informed that an additional Rs. 1.6 million was required to complete the remaining procedures and that half of this amount should be paid the victim transferred Rs. 400,000 to a bank account provided by the suspect.

Despite repeatedly requesting a refund as time passed, the suspect failed to return the money. The victim thereafter lodged a complaint with the police, submitting photocopies of deposit receipts and related documents as evidence.

Public Advisory

Members of the public are advised to exercise caution when seeking employment opportunities abroad through private institutions. It is strongly recommended to select service providers only after conducting thorough and proper verification.

Do not fall victim to individuals who exploit the aspirations of job seekers with fraudulent intentions. If a service provider appears suspicious, immediately report the matter to the nearest police station. Always retain payment receipts and documents containing the service provider’s details for future reference.