Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into the disappearance of nearly US$625,000 transferred by the Department of Posts to the United States Postal Service (USPS), court was informed today.

The CID’s Computer Crimes Division informed Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that investigations are underway into the failure of the funds to reach the intended recipient. The Magistrate subsequently directed the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) to conduct an on-site forensic investigation into the incident.

According to the CID, statements have already been recorded from postal officials involved in the email communications linked to the transactions, including the Deputy Postmaster General. Investigators also told court that no suspects have been identified at this stage.

The probe is being carried out under the Computer Crimes Act, the Public Property Act, and the Penal Code following a complaint lodged by the Postmaster General.

Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara previously stated that the payments were allegedly redirected through a phishing scheme involving a third-party intermediary posing as an official entity.

The issue first came to public attention during a Cabinet media briefing on April 28, amid wider concerns surrounding another cyber-related financial fraud involving a US$2.5 million Treasury payment.

Sathkumara said the fraudulent transactions had taken place in three stages over a two-year period, beginning with a transfer of around US$900 in 2024. A second payment exceeding US$400,000 was reportedly made in February 2025, followed by another transfer of nearly US$190,000 in October 2025.

Sri Lankan authorities are now seeking international assistance, particularly from the United States, to trace and recover the missing funds.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the breach may have originated through compromised communication channels between Sri Lanka’s Department of Posts and the USPS, with investigators suspecting a phishing-style cyberattack involving impersonation tactics. (Newswire)

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