Land fraud worth millions in Colombo: CID launches investigation

The Criminal Investigation Department has begun extensive investigations into incidents in which forged documents were prepared for land and buildings worth tens of millions of rupees in Colombo's Pettah area and their owners were threatened into paying extortion money.

An organised criminal gang, including a businessman from Kollupitiya, is suspected of involvement in the fraud. The gang allegedly prepared forged documents in 2017 for a plot of land in Pettah and claimed ownership, then threatened the businessman who had bought the land, demanding extortion money to withdraw legal action.

Investigations have revealed that the businessman faced severe difficulty completing his building work because the gang threatened to file a civil case and halt construction on the land if the money was not paid.

A statement has also been recorded from an attorney-at-law who acted as the notary who prepared the forged documents. He said the businessman had deceived him too and obtained his help, and he is to be questioned again in the coming days.

The Criminal Investigation Department is moving to conclude its inquiries and submit a report to court on those connected with the incident.