Police nab ransom gang
by Sarath Malalasekera.
The Colombo Crimes Division yesterday evening arrested a five member
gang operating in the Colombo area who had sent letters to leading
businessmen in Colombo on LTTE letterheads containing the LTTE emblem,
demanding ransom on threats of murder.
According to CCD information, the gang comprised five members led by
a former Reserve Police Constable.
They were nabbed while attempting to collect a ransom from a Colombo
businessman. Police sources added that their modus operandi was to first
send a letter to their chosen victim and get it confirmed by a telephone
call to the intended victim.
The letter is written on a LTTE letterhead containing the LTTE emblem
and it threatens the victim to comply with their demand failing which
the entire family including the children will be killed.
When the intended victim answers the telephone call in the
affirmative the gang leader gives a bank account number to which the
demanded ransom has to be credited.
A special CCD team under the instructions of SSP Sarath Lugoda, the
Director of the CCD is conducting further investigations.
Police appeal to persons who have been subjected to intimidation by
this gang to seek police assistance. |