Sri Lanka Police have issued a public advisory urging property owners to remain vigilant when renting or leasing houses, apartments, commercial buildings and other premises, warning that such properties are increasingly being misused for fraudulent and criminal activities.
The Police Media Division said investigations have revealed that “certain individuals and organised groups” obtain residential and commercial properties on both short- and long-term rental arrangements and then use them to carry out unlawful activities. In many cases, property owners remain unaware of the illegal operations on their premises, which can lead to serious legal complications and, in some instances, criminal liability for the owner.
Police said there has been a significant increase over the past year in the arrest of foreign nationals involved in sophisticated online financial fraud operations run covertly from housing complexes, hotels and lodges across the country. In several instances the suspects were also found to have violated Department of Immigration and Emigration regulations, with computers and other electronic equipment seized as evidence. Both the Department and the Sri Lanka Police have pursued legal action.
The advisory reminded the public that under Section 76 of the Police Ordinance, police are legally empowered to obtain information on all individuals residing in a household. The head of the household must provide details of family members, domestic staff and temporary occupants to the relevant police station. Any change in occupancy must be promptly reported, and failure to comply is a punishable offence.
Property owners have been strongly advised to verify the identity, background and purpose of prospective tenants before entering into rental or lease agreements. Police have also encouraged members of the public to report information on suspicious premises or individuals through the Public Safety Committees established within each police division, or via emergency hotlines 119 or 118.
The advisory continues an enforcement track that has seen police name landlords as a target group in cyber-scam crackdowns, follow Rajagiriya and Thalangama raids on foreign-run scam centres, and warn of police impersonation tactics used to extract payments from victims.
Sources: NewsFirst — Police urge vigilance as rented properties used for illegal activities; Newswire — Police urge property owners to vet tenants.
