Fake Cheque Scam: Leading Steel Plant defrauded in millions

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has uncovered that the account defrauded in Sri Lanka's first financial fraud committed with the use of fake cheques, belongs to a leading steel manufacturing company in the country, Sri Lanka Police revealed on Tuesday (May 11). "The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducted investigations into an act of fraud committed in respect of an account maintained at a private bank. The account belongs to a leading steel manufacturing company in Sri Lanka. This is the first financial fraud committed in Sri Lanka by using fraudulent cheques," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st The CID arrested 04 people for committing an act of financial fraud in April 2021, to the tune of Rs. 43 million, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana revealed on the 02nd of May 2021. The four (04) suspects arrested in connection with the act of fraud were placed in remand custody after being produced at the magistrate's court, the Police Spokesperson noted on Tuesday (May 11). "Based on further investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department, the information had come to light that five (05) people had visited the branches of the particular bank to obtain money by using fraudulent cheques," the Deputy Police Chief elaborated on the crime. One individual in connection with the incident was arrested a few days back and another individual (a resident of Amithirigala) who visited the respective bank to exchange the cheque was arrested by the CID on Monday (May 10). The suspect will be produced before the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (May 11). "The one who printed the cheques was also arrested by the CID a couple of days ago. He remains in remand custody. We have identified another three suspects who had visited branches of the said bank to exchange money. They too will be arrested," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana further noted. The Criminal Investigations Department is conducting further investigations.