Four individuals accused of defrauding a private bank of Rs. 50 million by creating a fake website have been remanded until September 25, on the orders of Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
The suspects allegedly operated a counterfeit website designed to closely resemble that of a legitimate private bank in Sri Lanka, through which they siphoned off millions in funds.
The Magistrate also instructed authorities to arrest and produce any other individuals connected to the scheme without delay.
According to the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the suspects were arrested on Monday following an ongoing probe into the sophisticated fraud operation. They were produced before court yesterday.
Investigating officers told the court that the scam was carried out in an organized manner and within the country, and that several more suspects are likely to be apprehended in the coming days. They also noted that the arrested individuals are reportedly addicted to narcotic drugs.
Further investigations are underway.
