Rs. 7.1 million employment scam targets seven Sri Lankans – SLBFE

By Leenah Wahab

A fraudulent E-8 visa scheme worth Rs.7.1 million involving seven Sri Lankan victims who paid money to unregistered agencies promising overseas jobs, has been uncovered by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), an official said yesterday.  

The SLBFE announced that three arrests have been made, with further investigations underway to dismantle the network of illegal employment agencies preying on job seekers. Over the past year, the SLBFE has encountered 10 similar cases, highlighting the deceptive tactics of unregistered operators.  

The E-8 visa, primarily issued by South Korea for seasonal work in agriculture and fisheries, became the centrepiece of this scam. According to recent media reports, individuals holding unauthorized E-8 visas protested outside the SLBFE, claiming their visas were set to expire on November 26. The SLBFE clarified that these visas, issued by illegal agencies, are not recognized as legitimate.  

Additional General Manager -International Affairs Gamini Senarath Yapa of the SLBFE told Daily Mirror that no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exists with South Korea to facilitate the E-8 visa system.  

“For an MoU to be valid, it must go through the proper channels, including consultations with the Attorney General, SLBFE, and the Cabinet. These E-8 visas were issued unlawfully, and therefore, we do not recognize their legitimacy,” Yapa stated.  

In contrast, the SLBFE has issued approximately 5,500 E-9 visas and 3,300 E-7 visas for construction, manufacturing, services, and shipbuilding work in South Korea—valid pathways for legal employment.