A total of five Five suspects have been arrested in connection with an alleged scam in which a woman was defrauded of Rs. 4.2 million and a gold sovereign under the guise of conducting a ritual to recover a hidden treasure, police said.

The suspects, residents of Kegalle, Madurankuliya and Wanathawilluwa, were taken into custody by the Chilaw Divisional Crimes Investigation Unit following an investigation into the incident.

According to police, the suspects had approached a family residing in Diganwewa, Kotawehera, claiming that recurring illnesses among household members were caused by a treasure protected by a supernatural force buried beneath their property.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly used a scanning device to convince the family of the existence of the treasure before carrying out a ritual at the residence. During the ceremony, they are alleged to have produced two gold-plated Buddha statues and several gemstones, claiming the items had been recovered from the site.

The suspects further informed the family that the items were highly valuable and that a special religious offering was required at the Munneswaram Kali Temple before they could be used or sold.

Police said, believing the claims, the victim handed over Rs. 4.2 million and a gold sovereign to the suspects. However, the suspects failed to appear at the temple as arranged and could no longer be contacted, prompting the family to lodge a complaint with police.

Following a swift investigation, officers arrested the five suspects and recovered several items allegedly used in the scam, including the scanning device.

The suspects were scheduled to be produced before the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court.