Authorities have uncovered a series of alleged fraud operations involving public sector employees, intensifying scrutiny over abuse of trust and influence in state institutions. In one case, the Central Crime Investigation Bureau arrested an Assistant Secretary attached to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for allegedly defrauding a government doctor of Rs. 2.27 million by falsely promising to secure a vehicle through an auction at the Colombo Port.
The suspect was taken into custody on February 19 at her residence in Dehiwala after investigations found that the alleged fraud had occurred last year while she was serving at the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation. According to investigators, she had collected the money from the doctor on the assurance that a vehicle could be obtained through an official auction process, but failed to deliver the vehicle or return the funds, prompting the victim to lodge a formal complaint after her transfer to another ministry.
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of senior police officials including Ranmal Kodithuwakku and Chandana Kodithuwakku, with financial crimes investigators gathering evidence that led to the arrest. The suspect is scheduled to be produced before court as legal proceedings continue.
In a separate incident highlighting a similar pattern of deception, the Horana Special Crime Investigation Unit arrested a brother and sister employed by the Ceylon Electricity Board for allegedly defrauding a woman of Rs. 2.3 million by promising her overseas employment. The suspects, aged 46 and 36 and residents of Colombo, were apprehended following a complaint by a woman from Ingiriya.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects had claimed they could arrange a job in Italy through a relative living there and had persuaded the complainant, who was known to the family, to transfer the money into their bank accounts in 2025. Authorities say the promised employment never materialized and the suspects allegedly attempted to evade the victim, leading to the complaint and subsequent arrests.
