Hi-fi con-woman dupes millions from gullible victims: Police

Police are investigating the activities of a suspected female confidence trickster, who is alleged to have duped several unsuspecting victims into parting with millions of rupees for lucrative interests for their deposits.

According to complaints received at the Mirihana and Kohuwela Police, the suspect, who maintains a plush lifestyle, is alleged to have befriended the would-be victims and even visited their homes, persuading them to part with their money.

Most of the suspect's alleged fraudulent activities took place in the Mirihana, Kohuwela, Maharagama and Athurugiriya areas, according to police.

In one complaint, concerning a couple living at Gammana Road in the Maharagama police area, the suspect is alleged to have gone away with Rs 1.5 million, after providing postdated cash cheques that were duds.

The suspect who posed off as the owner of a garment factory located at Pamunuwa in Maharagama, which was later discovered to be non-existent, is also known to be closely connected to a top businessman in the country, who has close political connections.

An official with the Special Crime Investigation Bureau (SCIB) at the Mirihana Police said that, they were in the process of gathering more evidence such as bank statements, etc before moving into arrest the suspect.

“These investigations take time, as the fraud also involves a bank, and is also of a serious nature. Hence, the matter has to be thoroughly probed,” he told the Sunday Times.

Meanwhile, the Kohuwela Police are also investigating the suspect’s husband who is alleged to have threatened the victims with a sharp weapon, when they went in search of the woman at her residence in Malwatte Road, Kohuwela.

“The suspect was assisted in her operations by a female accomplice who is an executive at a leading insurance company in Delkanda, Nugegoda,” police said.

The executive is believed to be the main advisor to the chief suspect who is known to have a poor educational background.

A spokesman for the insurance company told the Sunday Times that the woman had maintained a clean track record in her dealings with the firm, but they cannot be held responsible for her activities elsewhere.

According to investigators, the suspects are believed to have operated the racket for the past several years, successfully duping an unknown number of persons for millions of rupees.