Bogus job agent arrested

Rasika Somarathna

A bogus foreign employment agent who was in hiding after swindling millions of rupees from several overseas job seekers, had been rounded up by sleuths of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), at Pethigoda, Kotakadeniyawa yesterday.

According to sources, he is said to have duped a large number of foreign job seekers with false promises of lucrative jobs in Cyprus, Singapore and several other countries.The SLBFE said, that they had received a large number of complaints from overseas job seekers who were said to have paid monies to the suspect ranging from Rs.150,000 - Rs.300,000. The wife of the suspect who was currently working in Cyprus too, is said to have connived with her husband in duping job aspirants. According to statements by victims, she is said to have given calls from Cyprus assuring them of jobs.

According to SLBFE, the suspect had been wanted by the Police too for several pending cases of financial fraud. The SLBFE said a joint investigation would been conducted. Meanwhile, the SLBFE yesterday said, its investigative arm was carrying out checks island wide to detect bogus job agents and organized gangs who swindle money from foreign employment seekers, with several such incidents coming to light recently. They said that foreign Employment Minister Dilan Perera, had given strict instructions to officers to crack down on such errant activities.

The SLBFE yesterday warned foreign job seekers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Bureau immediately.

It also said that all employment seekers could clarify matters pertaining to their foreign employment in view of avoiding unnecessary complications.