A prison guard had been arrested on charges of collecting ransom pretending to be a CID officer, the Police said.

The Police said the suspect had phoned a man, who was resident at Kirillawa in Kadawatha, and said that an investigation had been launched by the CID into selling of a three-wheeler, a transaction that took place five years ago.

According to the Police the suspect had told that the CID had found out that the documents belonging to the vehicle were forged and demanded Rs. 25, 000 to be deposited to a bank account to stop the investigations.

The Police said the man had made the payment, however lodged a complaint with the Kadawatha Police, when the suspect had demanded more money afterwards.

Police on Saturday arrested the suspect following investigations and the suspect was identified as a prison guard, a resident of Moronthota.