Public warned of financial fraud using Industry Ministry name

Colombo, March 1 (Daily Mirror) - The Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has warned the public about a financial fraud being carried out using a fake letterhead of the Ministry.

The Ministry said that it has been informed of an ongoing scheme in which money is being collected from the public by individuals falsely claiming to represent the Ministry. The fraudsters are reportedly using forged letters bearing the name of the Secretary to the Ministry, K. T. M. Udayanga Hemapala, to request financial assistance.

According to the Ministry, the scam claims that school supplies worth Rs. 3,000 each are to be provided to 150 school students in the Central Province who were allegedly affected by Cyclone Ditwa. The letters, signed by a person posing as the Ministry Secretary, have been sent to members of the public, including industrialists and entrepreneurs.

The Ministry further revealed that the individuals involved have also made telephone calls, pretending to be officials from the Ministry as well as personal staff of the Minister and Deputy Minister, in an attempt to gain trust and solicit funds.

Industrialists and entrepreneurs have reportedly been instructed to deposit money into account number 8016615386, maintained under the name K.V. Vinodya at the main branch of the Commercial Bank.

However, the Ministry has strongly clarified that neither the Ministry nor its officials are involved in any such programme. It emphasized that this is a completely fraudulent act and that the Ministry does not implement any initiative of this nature.

The public, particularly industrialists and entrepreneurs, are urged not to deposit money into the mentioned account or any other account linked to this scam. The Ministry also advised the public to remain vigilant and verify information before making any financial contributions.

The forged letter circulating on social media is as follows.