In 2017, 108 incidents have been reported on online financial scams and 26 Nigerians and 24 Sri Lankans have been apprehended through conducting investigations, the recently released performance report of the Department of Police for the year 2017 highlights.

The report further notes that 118 people have been taken into custody in connection with printing Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 counterfeit currency notes. Accordingly, the value of the counterfeit currencies printed within 2017 was more than Rs. 3 million according to the performance report of the Department of Police.

Meanwhile the report outlines that in 2017, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka Police has been able to carry out a number of substantial investigations, and accordingly 860 people including 785 Sri Lankans and 75 foreigners have been taken into custody during the year. Through the cases filed in 2017, altogether 514 people have been indicted by the High Court and by the Magistrate Court, 129 and 385 people respectively. Among the investigations conducted by Criminal Investigation Department, the ones carried out in the fields include Cyber Crimes.

- Reporting by Devendra Francis