A Land Registrar attached to a Land Registry Office in Colombo has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly aiding organised criminals in forging land documents and unlawfully transferring the ownership of properties.

The arrest was made on Tuesday (7) following an extensive investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the CID.

According to investigators, the suspect is alleged to have provided second copies of property extracts and deeds to external parties, enabling the preparation of forged documents without the knowledge or consent of the lawful owners.

She is further accused of directly aiding and abetting organised criminal groups by facilitating the illegal transfer of land ownership to third parties using the forged documents, officials said.

The suspect has been identified as a 51-year-old resident of Pannipitiya.

Investigations into the alleged large-scale property fraud racket are continuing.