The Special Crimes Branch of the Matara Police arrested six suspects for having published press advertisements, purportedly by the Human Resources and Skills Development Educational Institution, calling for applications for lucrative employment and deceiving several youth to part with their monies.

The applicants were asked to deposit Rs 1,500 in a particular bank account and produce the receipts to the organisation mentioned in the advertisement.

The announcements also said that 60 applicants would be selected and would be provided residential training for two days at the Matara YMBA. However, those who responded were asked to sell some compact discs and books on the availability of scholarships. They also told the applicants that jobs would be provided for minimum salaries of Rs 25,000 per month.

When the youths realised that it was a fraud they complained to the Matara Police. On Wednesday alone Matara Police received 60 complaints in this regard.

Police said that inquiries revealed that it was a bogus advertisement and arrested the Manager and five representatives.

A team of policemen headed by SI Wijeratne, SI Jayasinghe, PS Edirisinghe (16555), Piyasiri (37745), Gamage (25405), Kapila (28523) and Premadasa (19896) are conducting inquiries on the instruction of SSP Ranjith Padmasiri and SP Prematilleke Hettiarachchi.