“Suspect arrested for defrauding money by promising jobs in South Korea”
Officers of the Special Investigation Unit of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) have arrested an individual for defrauding money from youth by promising employment in South Korea.
The suspect had sent letters to Members of Parliament, claiming that the International Lions Club and the SLBFE were jointly organizing a South Korean job recruitment program, and requested them to refer local youth for it. Following information received by the Chairman of the SLBFE, Mr. Kosala Wickramasinghe, the investigation unit launched a probe using two undercover agents.
Investigations revealed that an introductory program was held on March 28th at the “Q-Ro Higher Education Center” at Rahula Junction, Matara. During the session, it was claimed that youth would be directed to government-sponsored South Korean jobs after language training, requiring a registration fee of Rs. 20,000. It was also promised that those registering on that day would receive a Rs. 35,000 voucher from the International Lions Club to study the Korean language.
Acting on this information, investigation officers arrested the 49-year-old suspect, a resident of Wanchawala, Galle, who also functions as a journalist. The arrest took place in Matara on March 28th.
Further investigations disclosed that the suspect operated a language training center named “Akasuki Lanka” in Galle and had directed students from that center toward this scam. It was also revealed that the International Lions Club has no connection to this recruitment program and that the suspect had previously been involved in a Japanese job recruitment racket.
The SLBFE emphasizes that the government-to-government (G2G) South Korean job program is conducted solely by the Bureau and not in collaboration with any other external organization. Therefore, the Bureau urges the public to refrain from providing money or personal information to any third party for South Korean employment.
The suspect was produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on March 28th and has been remanded until April 07th.
