Scamming ring caught at JAIC Hilton

Police have arrested seven persons, allegedly involved in various scams carried out via social media. The arrests were made during a raid at the JAIC Hilton in Colombo, police said.

Police Spokesman and Attorney-at-Law SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the Walana Anti-Vice Strike Force carried out the raid.

The senior police officer said that the suspects had been staying at the hotel and used social media platforms to obtain money from the public using various fraudulent tactics.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the main suspect was a 36-year-old resident of Kandy, while other suspects are aged between 22 and 40.

The spokesman said the suspects had used the conned money to live a luxurious life and also to consume drugs.

According to him, the arrested suspects are drug addicts.

The suspects would be charged under the Money Laundering Act and the CID had taken over the conduct of further investigation into the case, SSP Thalduwa said.