Fake doctor arrested for allegedly defrauding Rs. 50mn

A woman who allegedly posed as a fake medical doctor and deceived people, defrauding nearly Rs. 50 million, was arrested in Gurugoda, Horana yesterday (17), the Horana Special Criminal Investigation Unit said.

Police stated that the arrested suspect is a 52-year-old woman residing at the Porth Paradise housing complex in Gurugoda.

During the arrest, police recovered a stethoscope, a forged certificate claiming to be an Ayurvedic medical qualification, a copy of a fake identity card prepared as that of a government medical officer, and several other forged documents.

Police further stated that she did not possess any legitimate certification as a government medical practitioner.

Investigations revealed that she had been dressing in medical attire, wearing a stethoscope, and displaying a medical emblem on her vehicle while posing as a doctor.

The suspect, originally from Kurunegala, had been living in a luxury house in Gurugoda belonging to a monk residing abroad.

She is also alleged to have posed as both a Western and Ayurvedic medical practitioner while acting as an agent importing medicines from foreign countries.

Police said she had deceived acquaintances by claiming she needed money to pay taxes for clearing imported medicines through Customs, thereby collecting large sums of money.

It has been reported that she obtained Rs. 9.8 million from a person in Galedadugoda, Horana, and Rs. 5 million from a woman in Narthanagala, Munagama, Horana, based on complaints received a few weeks ago.

While investigations were underway, the suspect had also filed a anticipatory bail application through a lawyer, claiming she might be arrested. However, the magistrate rejected the request and ordered her immediate arrest on the 8th.

Following this, she fled her residence and went into hiding.

Police also stated that additional complaints have now been received from individuals in Pokunuvita and Millaniya, alleging fraud by the same suspect.

Investigations further revealed that she conducted fake medical clinics across the country, travelling in luxury hired vehicles and deceiving people while distributing medicines.

Authorities said she carried out the fraud scheme for a long period, collecting large sums of money from various individuals.

The suspect is scheduled to be produced before court today (18).