The Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, instructed the officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s (SLBFE) investigation department today (24) to enforce the law against individuals fraudulently collecting money while claiming to provide foreign employment opportunities.
The Minister also instructed officials to take necessary measures to prevent any activities related to collecting money while falsely claiming to provide foreign employment opportunities. Additionally, he informed the top management of the SLBFE to provide necessary facilities for conducting thorough investigations into illegal money collection under the guise of offering foreign employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that complaints have been received regarding an incident involving a police sergeant and a Buddhist monk near Anuradhapura, fraudulently collecting money while claiming to provide foreign jobs.
According to discussions with the investigative team attached to the ministry, the Minister has informed that if anyone has faced such an incident, they should lodge a complaint with the complaint section of the SLBFE to initiate legal action against the parties mentioned in the complaint.
The Minister emphasized that only licensed foreign employment agencies are authorized to receive payments for foreign employment. Additionally, the minister assured that action would be taken against the suspects involved in this incident based on received complaints.
The Minister also went on to say;
“We receive complaints about money being collected under false promises of providing foreign employment opportunities on a daily basis. In response, we have assembled a comprehensive investigation team to discuss and make decisions on these matters.
Recently, we received an anonymous complaint concerning an Israeli job scam. It was reported that approximately six hundred individuals were brought to a specific temple near Anuradhapura, with the involvement of the temple’s chief incumbent. Additionally, a person claiming to be from the police collected money under the guise of conducting medical tests. We do not disclose the name of the monk, the police station, or the area. However, if anyone has been involved in such an incident or has given money to someone under these circumstances, please visit the SLBFE promptly to file a complaint.
If anyone has paid money to secure a foreign employment opportunity, we urge them to come to the SLBFE immediately and submit complaints to our investigation department. If anyone has made such payments, please come forward and file a complaint as soon as possible. These complaints are crucial for taking legal action against offenders.
We have received information from various sources related to Anuradhapura regarding this matter. However, we have not yet received formal complaints. Therefore, it is crucial to submit proper complaints promptly. If you have been a victim of such a scam, regardless of your status, please visit the SLBFE and file a complaint.”