The Attorney General’s Department notified the Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court yesterday that the value of the bogus cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme related to two Chinese suspects had surpassed Rs 15 billion.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela ordered the remand of two Chinese nationals arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for financial fraud until October 21st.
The State Counsel from the Attorney General’s Department informed the court that the two suspects were apprehended while attempting to flee the country.
The State Counsel stated that almost Rs.1.5 billion was remitted to the third suspect’s bank account between 2017 and 2021, citing more than 70 complaints received in connection with the crime.
According to the State Counsel, the third suspect was apprehended on Tuesday (11) and it was revealed that he had warned off one Chinese national via ‘WhatsApp’ to promptly abandon their place of abode.
Informing the court that the second suspect was the son of Sri Lanka’s greatest Chinese investor, the attorney standing on their behalf begged for their release under proper bail conditions.
However, the Magistrate denied the bail motion and remanded the accused in custody until October 21.