Bogus lecturer nabbed

Indika Polkotuwa

An imposter who had allegedly duped unsuspecting people and defrauded them to the tune of nearly Rs. 50 million by posing as a renowned lecturer of international fame and a gem merchant was nabbed by Nawalapitiya police while he was hiding in an underground room in a palatial house in Hapugaslanda, Nawalapitiya on Thursday.

Police said investigations revealed that the suspect has 13 warrants issued against him by Mount Lavinia Courts and he is also wanted by the Colombo Frauds Bureau and Ratnapura and Kohuwala police stations in connection with several frauds.

The suspect has also defrauded foreign job seekers by promising lucrative jobs abroad and fleeced people through fraudulent vehicle and other property deals. He is said to own another luxury house in Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo.

The suspect was produced before the Nawalapitiya Magistrate and remanded till August 19.

Further investigations are continuing.