A group of fraudsters impersonating Minister Sunil Handunnetti has been reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for conducting online scams through Zoom meetings. These individuals have been targeting Sri Lankans living abroad, claiming to collect money for community service initiatives.
Minister Handunnetti filed the complaint with the CID and alerted the public about the fraudulent activities. Speaking to the media, he expressed concern over how audaciously his name and position are being misused to deceive people.
“This kind of fearless fraud, using even ministers’ names, shows how vulnerable the general public can be to such schemes,” he stated.
The minister emphasized that Sri Lanka’s legal framework is robust enough to bring the perpetrators to justice. “The law applies to everyone equally, and I trust it will be enforced not only for me but also for others who have fallen victim to these scams,” he added.
Reports suggest that the fraudsters have planned another Zoom meeting on January 5th, purportedly organized by Minister Handunnetti. The minister clarified that neither he nor his party is involved in organizing such meetings and urged the public to be cautious.
He specifically advised people to refrain from transferring money to anyone claiming to represent him or his party. The authorities are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the scam.
Minister Handunnetti’s statement serves as a warning to Sri Lankans globally to stay vigilant and verify the authenticity of any requests for financial contributions.
