COLOMBO REPORTER:
A senior manager at the Majestic Pride Casino, located in the Colombo Lotus Tower, has been remanded until January 22 by the Pilessa Magistrate following his arrest for a sophisticated online financial fraud.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old M.M.D.W. Herath, a resident of Kalupahana, Weerakongama, was apprehended by the North Western Province Computer Crimes Investigation Unit on January 8, 2026.
The Scam: Impersonating a Corporate Giant According to police reports, Herath is accused of operating deceptive groups on WhatsApp and Telegram. He allegedly misled victims by claiming they could earn substantial returns through an investment opportunity affiliated with the “Brandix” brand name, a leading apparel exporter in Sri Lanka. Brandix has no connection to the scheme.
The Money Trail While the initial arrest was triggered by a specific complaint involving a loss of Rs. 373,300, forensic investigations have uncovered a much larger operation. Police informed the court that approximately Rs. 9.2 million had been credited to the suspect’s bank accounts within a span of just 48 hours, raising suspicions of a mass-marketing fraud ring.
Ongoing Investigation The court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to report on the progress of the inquiry on January 22. Further investigations are being conducted under the supervision of the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the North Western Province Computer Crimes Investigation Unit, Police Inspector Maleesha Herath.
Authorities have warned the public to remain vigilant against online investment schemes that use the names of reputable companies to solicit funds via social media platforms.