In early November 2022, therwas a systematic spread of news among the wealthy business community in Switzerland. The information, disseminated primarily through word of mouth, suggested that LTTE supremo Prabhakaran, his wife Mathivathani, and daughter Duwaraka were alive. This rumor was perpetuated in a coordinated manner: one individual would claim to have met Prabhakaran’s family, and another would corroborate this claim, with both being part of a group deceiving people in the name of Prabhakaran.
Subsequently, a group of wealthy Sri Lankan Tamil businessmen convened at a residence in Switzerland upon the request of former LTTE fund collectors. These businessmen, known for their historical support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), were gathered with the anticipation of meeting a significant figure. During this assembly, a woman with her face and hair obscured by a veil appeared, introducing herself as Mathivathani, the wife of LTTE leader Prabhakaran. She addressed the business community, revealing that she, along with her husband Prabhakaran and daughter, were alive while her two sons, Charles Antony and Balachandran, had perished. She recounted how she, her husband, and daughter had escaped from the war zone to Europe. Emphasizing the need for support, she implored the community for funds, stating that her husband was regrouping the LTTE and that he was currently unwell.
Her story painted a vivid picture of their escape from the war zone, a perilous journey that had led them to the relative safety of Europe. Mathivathani’s words carried a plea for help. When a curious businessman requested her to remove her veil to confirm her identity, she refused, citing security risks. Despite this, a large portion of the businessmen present believed the narrative and immediately donated substantial sums of money to aid Prabhakaran’s supposed efforts in regrouping the LTTE and his medical expenses. However, one businessman, a significant former donor to the LTTE, harbored doubts. Instead of voicing his skepticism, he requested a meeting with Prabhakaran. The veiled woman denied this request, again citing security concerns.
The businessman then proposed meeting Duwaraka, promising a hefty donation if his request was granted. The woman agreed to this.
In the meantime, the businessman had obtained credible information about Duwaraka from a Sothiya regiment female LTTE fighter living in London since the 2009 war. This included the name of Duwaraka’s driving instructor and details about her active participation in the LTTE.
In the meantime, the businessman had obtained credible information about Duwaraka from a Sothiya regiment female LTTE fighter living in London since the 2009 war. This included the name of Duwaraka’s driving instructor and details about her active participation in the LTTE.
Realizing the deceit, the businessman amiably exited the meeting, feigning a promise to donate generously. Instead, he alerted the rest of the business community about the scam. However, by this time, many had already donated substantial Swiss money to the cause.
Duping Devotees: The Story of a Multi-Million Rupee LTTE Scam in Europe
During the final three months of 2022, a noticeable campaign among Sri Lankan Tamils in Swiss cities like Zurich, Bern, and Basel was conducted by former pro-LTTE activists. This campaign keenly targeted the business community and individuals who were fervent LTTE sympathizers or those who idolized Prabhakaran, treating him akin to a demi-god. The strategy was to specifically focus on those with a deep emotional connection to the LTTE and its supreme leader, intentionally excluding the general populace or those without such a connection.
The approach was tailored to exploit the emotions of those deeply attached to the LTTE and Prabhakaran, reducing their inclination to question or verify the claims. In intimate group meetings, two women, alleging to be Prabhakaran’s wife and daughter and with their faces partly covered, appealed for financial assistance. They claimed that Prabhakaran was actively working on regrouping the LTTE and highlighted his poor health as an urgent matter. Many, swayed by their emotional ties to the cause and its leader, readily opened their wallets to contribute.This pattern of meetings and appeals gradually began to spread to other European countries. Credible sources have informed Jaffna Monitor that, in a relatively brief period, the group implicated in the scam managed to accumulate a staggering sum of approximately 5000 crore Sri Lankan Rupees from unsuspecting LTTE sympathizers.
A Saga of Fraud
Against the backdrop of these rumors about Prabhakaran planning to revive the LTTE, a person impersonating his daughter, Dwaraka, delivered a speech on Maaveerar Naal (Great Heroes Day). This event added another layer to the unfolding narrative.
According to credible sources reported to Jaffna Monitor, the architect of this elaborate fraudulent scheme is Jeevaratnam Jeevakumar, also known as “Chiranjeevi master,” a former deputy to the ex-LTTE intelligence chief “Pottu Ammaan.” The strategy devised by “master” was allegedly put into action by “Abdullah,” previously the financial head for the Swiss Tigers. Abdullah, whose real name is Chelliah Jeyapalan from Aanaikottai in Jaffna, is believed to be the primary coordinator and executor of this deceptive operation. These sources further indicate that the intricacies of this operation suggest the involvement or knowledge of the current Swiss tiger chief, Ragupathy, hinting at a deeper network within the remnants of the LTTE’s overseas operations.
Betrayal of Trust: How Mathivathani’s Family Fueled the LTTE Scam
Adding complexity to the scheme, sources have revealed that the Eerampu family, relatives of Prabhakaran’s wife Mathivathani, were later convinced to participate in this scam. Reportedly, after receiving a substantial amount of money, they agreed to be part of the operation. Mathivathani’s elder sister, Aruna, who lives in London, lent credibility to the claim by asserting that she recently met her sister Mathivathani, brother-in-law Prabhakaran and niece Duwaraga. Although the authenticity of her testimony is questionable, it comes from Prabhakaran’s family and adds significant weight to the scam.
Mathivathani’s elder brother, Sreetharan, who lives in Denmark, is also implicated in this scam. Other individuals named by sources include Nimalan, Varadhan, and Mithulan from Prabhakaran’s bodyguard unit; Jayakanthan, who was in charge of the unit; Siriskandaraja Ranjith from Varathupalaya, known as Cheraman in Britain; and a major contributor, the individual posing as the fake Dwarka. These revelations suggest a complex and well- orchestrated scheme involving multiple individuals with connections to the LTTE.
