Executive Officer’s complaint leads to probe into major fraud at Commercial Bank

2026-02-25 - 08:37

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate a significant financial fraud involving millions of rupees deposited at the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. The case was initiated following a complaint by the Executive Officer at the bank’s Digital Banking Division at the bank’s head office, Janindu Deshan Ranawaka de Costa, a resident of Athurugiriya, who reported that funds from 99 accounts had been siphoned through fake platforms similar to the bank’s official digital platform. Officers from the CID’s Computer Crime Investigation Division told the court that an organized group of cybercriminals allegedly created multiple fake websites mimicking the bank’s official online system to deceive customers and misappropriate their funds. Investigations revealed that the embezzled money was fraudulently transferred to accounts in 04 other private banks – Seylan, Sampath, Nations Trust, and Pan Asia – as well as the state-owned People’s Bank. The Chief Magistrate has instructed the CID to provide regular updates to the court on the progress of the investigation. Related News: Commercial Bank accounts still at risk? Commercial Bank assures their digital banking systems are safe Loku Patty’s drug money flowed through Com, Bank & HNB accounts – CID 08 remanded over fake ComBank website scam