According to the Bureau, legal action was taken against individuals involved in fraudulent overseas job schemes as well as unlicensed recruitment agencies during this period.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, stated that a special investigation unit comprising police officers was established within the Bureau in September 2025 to strengthen legal action against such fraudsters.
Within the five months, a total of 244 cases were filed in courts against offenders, while the Bureau received 2,081 complaints related to foreign job scams.
The Bureau’s special investigation division also carried out 19 raids, leading to the arrest of 88 individuals, including three persons affiliated with licensed foreign employment agencies.
Authorities have warned that there is a growing trend of scammers using social media platforms to deceive job seekers by promising employment opportunities in countries such as Israel, South Korea, Japan, Romania, and several Middle Eastern nations.
The SLBFE has urged the public to verify job offers through official channels before making payments or handing over personal documents. Individuals who have been targeted or defrauded are encouraged to report such incidents to the Bureau’s special investigation unit via 011-2882228 or its 24-hour hotline at 1989.
