Couple, three others arrested over Canadian jobs scam

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested five people, including a couple in connection with defrauding money by promising employment in Canada, Police said.

They said the computer crimes investigation unit of the CID has launched an investigation after the CID received three complaints regarding the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs. 5 million, promising employment in Canada trough advertisements on a website.

The advertisements state that visas to travel to Canada with a minimum number of documents will be issued.

People who respond to the ads were asked to open an account in their own name and show their assets by depositing money in it and also to send WhatsApp massage of a copy of the passport with the applicant's personal data and a copy of the birth certificate.

Police said the fraud had been operated by a woman posing under a false name.

According to the initial investigation, it was revealed that the fraud has taken place in Kandana, Nittambuwa, Anuradhapura, Galle, Colombo, Giriulla and Ragama areas.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fraudsters had deceived the account holder and the mobile companies by diverting the money in the victims bank accounts to other accounts through the online facility.

The suspects were identified as residents of Kandana, Marawila, Raddolugama, Melsiripura and Galkulama areas.

They were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court and remanded till September 4.

The Police request the public to contact the CID via 0112 326979 if they were victims in such scams.