CID to investigate second alleged fraud attempt -FAISZER
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has lodged another complaint with the CID to probe an alleged swindling of US$ 187,084 (Rs. 31 million
approximately) paid by Sony Pictures Network India Ltd, (SPNIL) to SLC, Local Government, Provincial Councils and Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha said yesterday.
The SPNIL payment was the last tranche of the TV telecast rights fee of the South Africa tour of Sri Lanka in August.
Minister Musthapha told the that when the SLC inquired from the SPNIL about the last tranche or 15% of the full amount to be paid to the SLC, the Indian company had informed that it was already paid and the invoice had also been shown.
“Smelling a rat, the SLC checked the relevant documents and found that the payment had been deposited in a US bank, BBVA COMPASS under the account number 6761603874 – Sri Lanka Cricket. Soon after we found the misappropriation of SLC funds I instructed to lodge a complaint with the
CID and preliminary internal investigations carried out by the SLC have identified those involved,” Minister Musthapha said.
Minister Musthapha added that he has made a request to IGP, Pujitha Jayasundara to expedite the inquiry on the theft of US$ 5,564,404 (Rs. 1,000 million) allegedly by the Head of Finance of SLC using the same tactic. He has diverted US$ 5.5 million paid to SLC by SPNIL as a part payment of telecast rights fee related to the current England tour in Sri Lanka to HANGSEN in Hong Kong to account number 788-79894-883 under FANYA SILU Co, Ltd, on No 5, Matheson St, 39/F, Shell Tower, Times Square, HK.
“What is encouraging is that the Indian company has not only given statements that it did not maintain accounts under these numbers in the US or Hong Kong paid to any other account other than SLC. The Indian company supports fully the SLC to unearth the truth and expose the perpetrators” Minister Musthapha said.
He said those involved in the fraud at the SLC had prepared fake invoices and opened accounts in banks in the US and HK using the SLC name to hoodwink both parties and added all those involved in the racket would be exposed soon and that maximum punishment will be meted out.
What is encouraging is that the Indian company has not only given statements that it did not maintain accounts under these numbers in the US or Hong Kong paid to any other account other than SLC