Three persons were arrested on a charge of cheating Sri Lankan refugees to the tune of Rs.12 lakh in Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

The arrested were Suganthan and Ramesh Kumar of Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district and Arun of Madurai.

Police said Arun who got acquainted with Manoranjithan, a Sri Lankan refugee in Pudhupatti refugee camp near Batlagundu, told Mathiyazhagan, brother of Manoranjithan, that he would help him and other refugees go to Australia.

He also demanded Rs.1 lakh per person for making all arrangements for the travel.

Mathiazhagan and 11 others had reportedly gave Rs.12 lakh to Arun to go to Australia.

Arun gave the money to Suganthan and Ramesh Kumar.

Later, when the refugees asked the three about their plan, there was no response from them.

Based on a complaint, the police arrested the three.

Ramesh Kumar and Suganthan were lodged in Puzhal prison in Chennai and Arun was lodged in Melur prison near Madurai.(The Hindu)