The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested the Attorney General to file criminal cases against three prohibited pyramid schemes.

The CBSL said that this decision was taken following an investigation it had conducted.

Accordingly, the CBSL has launched an investigation into  ‘Fast3cycle International Pvt. Ltd.,” ‘Sport Chain App, Sport Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka,” and ‘Onmax DT’.

Issuing a statement, the CBSL said the three institutions and their directors, promoters and founders have acted in violation of the Section 83C of the Banking Act.

CBSL has announced the decision through a special newspaper advertisement. It was reported that Fast3Cycle International Pvt Ltd was operated by an individual by the name Anil Bandara and Sport Chain App, Sport Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka was operated by Amith Wickramage of Maharagama, Shamal Keerthi Bandara of Kurunegala, Shanaka Madhushan Wickramaratne of Polpithigama, Rovinda Manjula Medawatta and Pradeep Kumara Hantana of Giribawa.

It was also reported that the amount defrauded by Sport Chain App, Sport Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka is more than Rs.8,800 million.

OnmaxDT is said to be a company based in Australia and there were media reports that this company has a connection with former minister Namal Rajapaksa.

However, Mr.Rajapaksa’s media unit issued a statement stating that he has no relationship with ‘Onmax DT’ which operates Crypto Mining and Bitcoin transactions.