Two individuals involved in foreign job scams have been arrested by the investigation officers of the Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE).

One person was taken into custody in Maradana on Wednesday (March 15), based on a complaint filed by a woman who was defrauded of Rs. 450,000 for an employment opportunity in Kuwait.

The suspect was later released on a surety bail of Rs. 500,000 and a cash bail of Rs. 10,000 after being produced before the Gampola Magistrate’s Court. The magistrate also imposed a foreign travel ban on him and ordered that his passport be surrendered to the court.

Further hearing of the case has been fixed for May 09.

Meanwhile, the second suspect was arrested for defrauding a man of Rs. 550,000 by promising a job opportunity in Oman.

He was taken into custody when he was summoned to the Foreign Employment Bureau on March 09 for interrogations pertaining to a complaint filed by the victim.

He was granted bail after being produced before the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court on March 10. The magistrate, releasing him on two surety bails of Rs. 600,000 each, fixed further hearing of the case for October 10.

In light of the increasing number of similar job scams, the Foreign Employment Bureau has urged the members of the public to be on alert and to ascertain that the relevant foreign employment agencies are registered with the SLFBE before proceeding with any payments.

The legitimacy of these agencies can be verified by visiting the Bureau’s official website (www.slbfe.lk) or by dialling its hotline 1989.