Suspect arrested for defrauding Belgian national over vadai and plain tea

18 April 2024 09:20 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 30 Bookmark

A A A

Colombo, April 18 (Daily Mirror) - The Moragalla Tourist Police arrested a 60-year-old man who posed as a tourist guide and fraudulently obtained money from a foreign national at an eatery in Kalutara for medhu vadai and plain tea.

The Moragolla Tourist Police received a complaint via email regarding this incident on Wednesday.

The incident reportedly occurred on February 9, 2024. The suspect fraudulently obtained Rs. 800 from a Belgian national for vadai and plain tea purchased at the eatery. The payment for the food was made to the eatery, while the balance was kept by the suspect.

The incident went viral on social media and was also covered by television news broadcasts.

The suspect, a resident of Palathota in Kalutara, was arrested and handed over to the Kalutara Police.

During the investigations, it was revealed that the suspect is known in the area of the eatery and has been deceiving foreigners who visit the place to obtain money.

The suspect is to be produced before the Kalutara Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Comments - 30

Lakmal Kahawela Thursday, 18 April 2024 09:38 PM

Very good move but is there is a law to prosecute. Is there is a minimum retail price for these types of food.

0 0

Sirra Friday, 19 April 2024 01:12 AM

Must be a disciple of Ratharan and MR

0 0

Priya Friday, 19 April 2024 06:15 AM

Make all eateries registered / licensed. If their hygiene standards are not up to scratch or they engage in price gouging, simply cancel their license.

0 0

MT Thursday, 18 April 2024 09:46 PM

Some action is necessary to avoid repetition in future

0 0

Azath Thursday, 18 April 2024 09:55 PM

Niyamai

0 0

Ashan Thursday, 18 April 2024 09:57 PM

What about Rajapaksa clan, scamming the whole country?

0 0

joshua Thursday, 18 April 2024 10:44 PM

Rajapakshes didn't steal Ulundu Vadai. Hence, exempt.

0 0

Adwani Friday, 19 April 2024 09:11 AM

We are old Tourists who came along with Vijaya and Kuveni with their 700 labourers.

0 0

Sanjeewa A. Friday, 19 April 2024 12:07 AM

What he did is wrong. But what rights does the foreigner have to expose this man on social media? He also has dignity, might have family and kids but now they too have been shamed for none of their mistakes. And all this is for just Rs. 800 and that YouTuber's clickbait video title to earn views.

0 0

kondaya77 Friday, 19 April 2024 12:25 AM

Why do tourist be come fools when they are in a foreign country?

0 0

Gt Friday, 19 April 2024 01:18 AM

The prices offered to locals are low because local wages are ĺow, in Europe a cup of tea costs around 4-6 euros in a cafe, why are hotels allowed to charge international prices for rooms, while small struggling shops have to sell for the absolute minimum local price? It's true many tourists are back packers and aren't rich, but if fairness is the issue, have a max price on everything, including hotel rooms, prices at bars, etc, over 100 dollars a night for hotel rooms is the same as europe/UK, so why can't small tea shops charge UK prices?

0 0

Ram Friday, 19 April 2024 01:30 AM

It is time to bring in a law to compel the eateries to display the prices of what they sell for the public to see or alternatively have a printed price list/Menu to enable customers to view and decide what they want to have.

0 0

L Jaya Friday, 19 April 2024 02:29 AM

This was the culture developed over many years since 1977. Need a generational change to reverse this trend. The children of these blokes will follow father and children's friends. This is a cancer in SL society

0 0

Tissa Fernando Friday, 19 April 2024 03:44 AM

He was following Kaputas.

0 0

P Kunchithapathan Friday, 19 April 2024 05:46 AM

The Moragolla Tourist Police are to be commended for their prompt response to a complaint received via email. It is now imperative that the Tourist Board implements a system for appointing tourist guides based on specific criteria and issues them with identity cards containing their photo and personal information. While on duty, tourist guides should be required to wear their uniform and display the identity card issued by the Tourist Board. Additionally, all eateries across the country should be required to obtain approval from the Health Authorities of their respective local councils.

0 0

Punchi Friday, 19 April 2024 06:53 AM

Deception, bribery and corruption is how we supplement our incomes. If we get penalised for this we will starve

0 0

Nimal Friday, 19 April 2024 07:02 AM

It is encouraging that at least some action is being taken against these fraudulent dealers harming the reputation of the country. However, those who defrauded billions of dollars are going scot free.

0 0

Sudda Friday, 19 April 2024 07:09 AM

This is not a big deal. Foreigners always cheated. Nothing new. I am used to paying sudda price for the last 20 years. The Government is spearheading this practice by charging foreigners higher fees at museums, cultural triangle etc.

0 0

Shirantha Munasinghe Friday, 19 April 2024 07:45 AM

Good move! Now all the 3 wheeler drivers who scam and overcharge foreigners will also be arrested.

0 0

Grace Friday, 19 April 2024 08:17 AM

Despite the severe economic problems, In foreign countries Sri Lankas have good image. Please don't let a few rascals spoil our country's image. Thanks to the authorities for taking action against those rascals. It is late but it is not too late. When we are going through a serious economic crisis, those who bring dollars should be thanked not treated rudely

0 0

aby Friday, 19 April 2024 08:24 AM

What about govt scamming in parks and sanctuary for foreigners. Scamming also happens in some private hospitals double charges for foreigners.

0 0

Gabriella Friday, 19 April 2024 09:45 AM

It’s ok for the government to flout the law. The CTB buses belching exhaust fumes is a prime example.

0 0

senakab Friday, 19 April 2024 08:31 AM

maybe can introduce an app for licensed travel guides, we do have so many tech people in our country catering to foreign companies yeah? introduce an app for tourists too so that they can snap picture and complain on the spot too, or a whatsapp hotline, we need to move forward, start using qr codes to pay for items, inside government also someone need to get a commision or else these type projects wont get pushed up

0 0

ceylonese Friday, 19 April 2024 09:06 AM

At 60, if he's doing that, he will never change. Religion should be taught from a younger age, so people of this calibre could be groomed.

0 0

Tilak Friday, 19 April 2024 09:07 AM

Rs.800 vadai and Rs.1900 kothu roti were only two isolated incidents caught on camera. These are regular happenings day to day in all tourist spots in the country. Lazy and corrupt people (just like their political leaders) want a make quick money. WHAT SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE TO ENSURE THESE ARE NOT REPEATED. Shame on these guys who loot the tourist and then go an pay homage at temples

0 0

saman Friday, 19 April 2024 09:08 AM

Auto drivers are a terrible menace similar to this vadai and kothu roti seller. I once met a British journalist who had come to cover the tsunami in 2005 and was staying at Galle Face Hotel. The 3 wheel driver outside the hotel demanded Rs.4000 to take him to Odel. This was in 2005

0 0

Gamini Friday, 19 April 2024 09:10 AM

Three wheel drivers outside Cinnamon Grand are a big rowdy team. They do not allow guests to flag a running auto and demand exorbitant money form the hotel guest. This is right next to the police station.

0 0

Roshanaly Friday, 19 April 2024 10:42 AM

Why only near Cinnamon Grand, any Three wheeler, when they see a foreigner they quote heavy price.

0 0

Jackie Friday, 19 April 2024 12:08 PM

What about entrance fees charged by prominent places. Who will question this. Always catching the small crooks. Just like the foreigner mentioned we should promote good principles.

0 0

Mahinda Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:23 PM

V good. Person attended for playing out 2 vadeys and plain tea. Now what’s about the Chinese ship load or ORGANIC FERTILIZER that was paid and supposed to be unloaded? Where is it? Who was responsible in confirming it and unloading it if it was paid for and total list of parliamentarians who discussed and voted for it? Also those who approved, tested ……. and there is the blooming stuff???

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.