CID arrests 26-year-old on suspicion of money laundering

By Asiri Fernando

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday arrested a 26-year-old suspect, who the Police believed has been engaged in criminal cyber activity to move Rs. 17.2 million from several bank accounts in the United States to his personal accounts in Sri Lanka. 

Police began investigations following a complaint lodged in April 2020, which alleged that a sum of Rs. 140 million has been transferred to Sri Lankan accounts from the United States, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. The suspect, a resident of Vavuniya, was arrested under suspicion of money laundering, DIG Rohana said. 

“The CID believes that the suspect illegally entered the personal bank accounts of those overseas and transferred funds to other accounts,” DIG Rohana added. 

According to DIG Rohana, the Police have arrested over 30 individuals on charges related to money laundering since 2020.  

The CID is conducting further investigation and the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) of the Sri Lanka Central Bank is assisting the police with the investigation, DIG Rohana added.