The National Lotteries Board (NLB) yesterday warned the public against falling for the so-called “crossing the box” (Kotu Kepeema) scam, whereby players bet on the final two numbers of the Mahajana Sampatha lottery.
“We have found that many people have fallen for this scam. We have raided many places which had facilitated this illegal gambling operation and identified those behind it,” NLB Chairman M.D.C.A. Perera told the Sunday Observer.
Some ring leaders of this scam have already been produced before the Courts. Among them were two persons from Medagama, who were produced before the Bibile Magistrate, who imposed 10 months’ RI on the suspects, of which eight months will be a suspended sentence.
Police stations countrywide have been alerted to raid such gambling dens and produce any suspects before Courts, the Chairman said.
He said over 20,000 families depended directly on the sale of lotteries and the NLB also contributed heavily to the Treasury and the Inland Revenue Department. However, he said the scammers were only interested in duping the public and earning money for themselves. He called upon the public not to fall for this scam and inform the NLB or the nearest police station if they come across an instance of this gambling operation.
