The Kandy Divisional Crimes Unit has arrested a 37-year-old suspect involved in a major racket involving the resale of e-tickets for popular up-country train routes, including the Ella route.
Arrest Details
The suspect, a resident of the Suduhumpola area, was apprehended on January 22, 2025, in the Kandy Police Division. Police recovered the following items during the arrest:
- 21 ‘Odyssey’ train tickets purchased online.
- Rs. 130,670 in cash, believed to be proceeds from illegal sales.
- 130 notepads documenting previous transactions.
- A mobile phone suspected to have been used in the operation.
Alleged Scam
Authorities believe the suspect profited by reselling train tickets to foreign tourists at exorbitant rates. Tickets priced at Rs. 2,000 were allegedly being resold for as much as Rs. 16,000.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the case for further investigations.
Background of the Investigation
The CID previously informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on January 20 about concerns over e-tickets for popular tourist train routes being sold out within 42 seconds of release online. It is alleged that groups used dubious methods to purchase tickets en masse before reselling them at inflated prices.
The investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the scam and identify others involved in the fraudulent activities.
