News
Police search for man who disappeared with millions
Pic released by Police media
The Mirihana Crimes Investigation Special Unit has launched an investigation to track down a man who claimed to be constructing or selling houses and disappeared with Rs. 19.2 million from 14 clients, who believed they were investing in their dream home.
The would-be buyers of the houses only realised the man had disappeared with the money when they found his closed office at Udawatte road in Malabe.
The suspect had used the name D.U. Krishantha Lakruwan Sirisena, but initial investigations have revealed he was using a fake identity card and forged passport.
A 35-year-old man from Boralesgamuwa who invested his money in what he thought to be the house he would be owning was one of the victims.
He had contacted this company via a Facebook post.
The alleged fraudster’s company, Araliya Holding Pvt. Ltd., provided services such as constructing houses and purchasing already constructed houses under credit facilities.
The victim had invested a total of Rs. 1.3 million, first paying Rs 450,000 and then Rs 850,000 within a span of two weeks, as requested by the alleged fraudster.
Later, on June 24, the victim was asked to come to the house which he was about to purchase to sort out the official deed work, but when he arrived at the location, the company owner was not present and did not answer any calls.
When he went to the company office, it was closed down. Thereafter, on the same day itself, the victim lodged a
complaint to the Mirihana Crimes Investigations Unit. Also, he had lodged a complaint at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
office in Fort.
Another victim from the Sabaragamuwa Province said she had invested close to Rs 1.8 million in this company, expecting to buy a house worth Rs. 12 million on credit facilities.
The 34-year-old woman said she paid Rs. one million via a bank transfer to the company’s account, and the remaining money was collected by the suspect upon his arrival at the victim’s house.
She was asked to arrive at the office to pay off the remaining money along with passport-size photographs of herself to finalise the documents, and upon arrival she noticed this office was closed down.
Later on, she went to the Mirihana Police Department to file the complaint. She said this was a massive financial loss for her since she is currently facing financial difficulties.
Police have released the suspect’s name and photo, expecting public cooperation to arrest the person.
The people have been requested to contact the Nugegoda Police Station’s Chief Inspector on 0718591641 or the Mirihana Crimes Special Unit Chief Inspector on 0112852556 or 0718137373.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!