Scam targeting cancer patients’ bank accounts: Three suspects remanded

Three persons who were arrested in connection with a meticulous scam involving the pilfering of money from the banks accounts of cancer patients, have been remanded on orders of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Accordingly, the main suspect, identified as a resident of Avissawella, and two other women, identified as residents of Ja-Ela, have been remanded until 19 December, on orders of Colombo Magistrate Prasanna Alwis.

The relevant order was issued when the case was taken up in court this morning (07 Dec.).

The suspects had reportedly contacted a woman ailing from cancer in the Halawatha area, and had subsequently obtained her bank account details, by posing as a potential donor.

They had later reportedly stolen Rs. 3.8 million from the Rs. 7.8 million collected in the bank account, and had proceeded to purchase several mobile phones and other valuable goods.

While several other suspects, including a woman, are yet to be arrested, investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have revealed that the group has similarly stolen funds amounting to Rs. 25 million from several other bank accounts.