Sri Lanka, Feb. 12 -- The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested six individuals, including a fraudulent shaman, in Alioluara, Suriyawewa, for allegedly swindling nearly 500 million rupees from gullible victims across the island by promising hidden treasures.

Officers from the Suriyawewa STF camp carried out the raid at approximately 3:00 am today, apprehending suspects aged between 35 and 51 hailing from Naranwala, Embilipitiya, Sewanagala, Kalavitigama, Kalutara, and Suriyawewa. During the operation, police seized ritual items and a deceptive "stone box" used to facilitate the scam.

The gang's sophisticated ruse involved convincing a homeowner in Suriyawewa that a treasure was buried on their property. After digging a five-foot hole, ...