The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has taken legal action against individuals involved in fraudulent foreign employment activities and unlicensed recruitment agencies, recovering over Rs. 199.4 million for affected victims, between January and July 2025.
According to the SLBFE, these prosecutions were initiated based on special raids conducted under the guidance of Deputy General Manager (Legal) Nelum Samarasekara, as well as complaints received by the Bureau.
During the past seven months, a total of 567 court cases have been filed against foreign employment fraudsters, while the SLBFE received 2,620 complaints during that period.
Within this timeframe, the SLBFE’s Special Investigations Division carried out five raids, one of which targeted a licensed foreign employment agency engaged in illegal practices.
A total of 36 suspects were arrested, including seven individuals affiliated with licensed recruitment agencies.
Additionally, in 2024, the SLBFE successfully recovered over Rs. 182.5 million for victims of foreign employment fraud. That year, the Bureau received 4,658 complaints related to foreign employment issues. (Islandnews)
