‘Easy payment’ housing scheme scam: Company director arrested

A director of a private company was arrested by the Mirihana Special Crimes Investigation Unit for allegedly defrauding the public with a housing scheme that promised houses and land under easy payment plans. The suspect, a 48-year-old from Negombo, is accused of taking advance payments equivalent to 60% of the total value but failing to construct the houses, with cheques for refunds being dishonoured. He was remanded until Aug. 4 after being produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.

The Mirihana Special Crimes Investigation Unit has arrested a director of a private company on charges of defrauding members of the public by offering houses and land under an easy payment scheme.

The suspect, a 48-year-old resident of Negombo, is alleged to have used social media advertisements to promote the scheme, promising houses and land on instalment plans to attract customers.

According to investigations, those who responded were required to sign agreements and pay an advance of 60% of the total value of the house and land, but the suspect allegedly failed to build the promised houses, and cheques issued to customers seeking refunds bounced.

Police reported that five complaints have been filed so far with the Mirihana Special Crimes Investigation Unit, and they anticipate more victims will come forward.

The suspect was presented before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today and has been remanded until August 4. Further inquiries are ongoing by the Mirihana Special Crimes Investigation Unit.