Three arrested over Rs. 30 million Canada job scam

By Poojathmi Rivithma

Three individuals have been arrested over an alleged large-scale job scam involving nearly Rs. 30 million, where victims were promised employment opportunities in Canada, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

The suspects are accused of claiming links with a Canadian-based entity called “YR Immigration” and collecting money from job seekers across the country. The SLBFE said it has received nine complaints related to the fraud.

Investigations revealed that one suspect, arrested earlier in March, had deposited funds into bank accounts linked to the other two suspects. He was later produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court and released on bail.

The remaining two suspects were arrested on April 8 and 9 by investigating officers and were also produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court on April 9. They were subsequently released on bail.

The SLBFE highlighted that only licensed foreign employment agencies are authorized to recruit for overseas jobs and charge fees.

It also urged the public not to hand over money or passports to unauthorized individuals and advised job seekers to verify recruitment details by calling the SLBFE hotline 1989 before making any payments.