Fraud is a common occurrence in Sri Lankan society and has been in existence from immemorial ranging from false foreign job offers, bogus investment schemes to get rich pyramid schemes. In the most recent case, popular business woman Thilini Priyamil has been accused of defrauding people and misappropriating millions of rupees.
The accused, a known film producer and a mother of two is a resident of Edward Lane Averiwatta. At the time of arrest she was heading a registered business titled ‘Thico Group of Companies’ headquartered at an office on the 34th floor of the World Trade Centre.
She had rented the office at a whopping cost of Rs. 1.4 million a month. In addition to Thico, she was reportedly also involved in gold, gems, film production, construction, land trades. Five businesses under these categories had been registered by her making up the Thico Group of Companies headed by her.
In a short span of time Priyamali had built close connections to politicians, businessmen, artists and even doctors going on to build more connections through these contacts. She is accused of then convincing these individuals to invest in her business on the promise of massive returns based on high interest rates.
Political links
Making acquaintance with a politician, Priyamali portrays she has political links to further bolster the trust people had placed on her. To build her persona further she hires armed bodyguards and travels with a motorcade paying a significant fee to the particular security provider.
While many wealthy men, politicians and businessmen invest in her business, it wasn’t long before they realised there was no return as promised and they had in fact been duped by Priyamali. As a result of this seven cases against her had been filed before the courts. But all the while Priyamali remained free. It was business as usual for her as she appeared at various events.
However, things got worse for Priyamali when millionaire businessman identified as Sathtar complained to the Criminal Investigation Department claiming she had defrauded him of Rs. 226 million. Similarly she had also obtained a significant amount of money from yet another millionaire businessman identified as Kamal Hassan claiming it was for fuel imports. The amount she has allegedly obtained from him stands at US$ 60 000 US$ 100 000 and gold jewellry of unspecified value.
Business activities
The CID gathered all evidence before arresting Priyamali at her office in WTC. Her statement to the CID following her arrest reveals much about her life and business activities.
The 38-year-old is said to have defrauded around Rs. 500 million from politicians, wealthy businessmen, actors, doctors and even Bhikkhus. Instead of using the money to invest and repay them along with interest, Priyamali had used the money to fund her luxurious lifestyle according to CID sleuths.
A Bhikkhu connected to politics had even donated a jeep valued at Rs. 30 million to her which she had later mortgaged it was revealed.
The suspect had paid Rs. 1.4 million for her office as well as Rs. 200 000 - Rs. 300 000 to various other rented residences used by her.
During the investigation, it was also revealed that she had defrauded money by claiming she gave luxury condominiums in Colombo to those who invest in her business. A doctor is said to have handed over Rs. 40 million to her while the amount given by a popular actor remains unknown.
She had also used many devious methods to prevent those she defrauded from taking legal action against her. She had used women to lure in businessmen and others to have conversations of a sexual nature with the honey traps.
These conversations were recorded and used as blackmailing and bargaining too by her. The CID claims Priyamali had used three actresses and three models to carry out these activities. A lecturer is also among those who fell victim to this, the investigators have revealed.
She is also accused of defrauding several popular Bhikkhus with the promises of gold in return. An actor and a former Cabinet Minister is said to have been taken for Rs. 100 million by the suspect. A mobile phone businessman in Pettah had been defrauded out of Rs. 40 million. Investigators are now looking at her office staff who are believed to have been directly involved in her illegal activities.
The Police are looking into how the money defrauded by her was spent as well as the special protection provided to her through a private security firm. They have also found many photographs of the suspect with leading politicians of the country.
Nelum Pokuna
The CID said Priyamali had also organised musical shows, the most recent being one held in the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. They believe all this had been carried out to build a public image of a powerful business woman.
She had resided at an apartment in Havelock City most of the time. Her company had also held a film premiere at a five star hotel in Colombo recently with a host of popular figures in the film industry including a popular actress from India. It was estimated the film would cost Rs. 30 - 40 million.
Following her arrest Thilini Priyamali was presented before the Colombo Fort Magistrate on September 6.
She was arrested by the CID for defrauding and misappropriating over Rs 226 million from a well-known businessman. The complaint had been lodged by businessman Abdul Sathtar Azeez after a cheque given by her as repayment had bounced.
In his complaint, the complainant stated that when he went to the residence of former Governor Azad Sali on May 3, he met Janaki Siriwardena, who was working in Colombo Fort Krish Project, and she introduced to him Thilini Priyamali, who is said to be the owner of Thico Films Private Company.
The CID stated before the court that the suspect Thilini Priyamali had asked him to invest money in his business and based on that trust, he gave Rs 100 million on May 4, and Rs. 126 million and Rs. 75,000 rupees on May 5.
The lawyer who represented the suspect said that she has agreed to pay Rs. 200 million initially and to pay the remaining amount in installments.
Taking into account the facts presented, the Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered Thilini Priyamali to be remanded until October 19.