Trader robbed of Rs.400,000

Anuradhapura Kallanchiya Police says that an organised gang robbed goods to the value of Rs.400,000 from a trader who came to Anuradhapura to buy a stock of ginger following an advertisement posted on Facebook.

The 35-year-old trader, a resident of Aeanayeke, Thaggaswita has been engaged in the business of buying and selling Tinger and Turmeric. He went to Anuradhapura last Monday (12) to buy 2,000 kilos of ginger, following an advertisement posted on Facebook.

The trader went to Anuradhapura in a lorry after confirming the deal by calling a phone number mentioned in the Facebook advertisement. After arriving in Anuradhapura, the seller made a phone call to the person who had posted the Facebook advertisement and two people who came on a motorcycle and informed the trader to proceed to a nearby jungle area near the Kallanchiya Cemetery.

Kallanchiya Police say that the two people who came on a motorcycle with three other people who were staying in the jungle area threatened the trader and robbed him of the money that he had brought to purchase the ginger, a mobile phone and bank card.

On earlier occasions too, traders have been brought to Anuradhapura and were robbed of their money and belongings. Therefore, the Police request the public to be careful when dealing with people through social media.