US $ 24 m alleged bank fraud:

Forged documents used to withdraw cash

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducting investigations into a complaint made by a Sri Lankan residing in Quatar that US Dollars 24 million had been withdrawn from his account at a Bank in Sri Lanka on forged documents.

Sergeant S Wijesuriya of the CID filing a comprehensive report in connection with their ongoing investigations yesterday before the Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne said that the fax documents forwarded to the Bank in order to withdraw the USD from the bank are forged. The Sri Lankan residing in Quatar had informed the CID that he never sent any fax to any person or authorised any person in Sri Lanka to withdraw USD from his account.

Investigations directed by CID DIG Jayantha Kulathilaka and assisted by Senior SP Wije Amerasinghe revealed that the fax documents found at the bank in connection with the massive USD fraud had been tendered to the Bank by another Sri Lankan. On an application by the CID, the Judge directed them to conduct investigation here and abroad and submit a report to Court on the next date.