A private bank's assistant manager in Negombo, accused of defrauding over Rs. 37 million, has been arrested by the Financial Fraud and Commercial Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The CID's Financial Fraud and Commercial Investigation Unit received a complaint regarding the illegal transfer of Rs. 37 million to a private bank account since 2022, originating from various accounts within the bank.
Following an extensive investigation, it was uncovered that the unauthorized money transfers were executed by the assistant manager of the bank.
Further inquiries revealed that the suspect also redirected funds to her husband's account from an account designed for electricity bill payments to Lanka Electricity Private Company.
Police suspect that the total defrauded amount could reach Rs. 100 million.
Upon discovery of the fraud, the suspect attempted to flee to Australia but was unsuccessful. However, investigators noted that she managed to send her husband to Australia after spending Rs. 7.5 million of the embezzled funds.
During the investigation process, a mobile phone used for the illicit money exchanges was found concealed in a residence in the Lunuwila area.
The suspect is slated to appear before the Negombo court for further proceedings.
