SriLankan Airlines has alleged financial misappropriation of nearly Rs 2.2 crore at its Chennai office, accusing several Indian employees of manipulating invoices, payment records and authorised signatures to divert company funds, while a separate cyber related payment incident involving a compromised corporate email account has also come under investigation.
Internal Review Flagged Suspected Financial Irregularities
According to the airline, the suspected fraud surfaced during an internal review of financial transactions linked to its Chennai office. A subsequent audit reportedly found multiple irregularities involving invoices, payment approvals and banking records.
In an official statement, SriLankan Airlines said a few Indian nationals employed in the finance department at the Chennai office were allegedly involved in misconduct over a period of time. The airline alleged that the accused manipulated payment related documents and banking details to facilitate unauthorised fund transfers, though it did not specify the exact duration over which the suspected misappropriation took place.
Investigators believe the matter may involve systematic manipulation of internal financial processes as well as unauthorised access to sensitive payment systems. Following the discovery, the airline approached Indian law enforcement authorities and submitted details of the suspicious transactions for further inquiry.
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Banking Trails and Digital Records Under Examination
Sources familiar with the matter said investigators are now examining banking trails, digital transaction records, email communications and internal approval workflows to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud. Agencies are also probing whether any external entities or third party collaborators may have played a role.
Officials involved in the inquiry are analysing employee access histories, login activity, digital signature usage, payment approval chains and linked bank accounts associated with the disputed transactions. Investigators are also examining whether the alleged misappropriation was carried out by individuals acting on their own or whether it formed part of a broader organised financial network.
The case has drawn attention to the way internal financial systems can be exploited when payment controls, verification processes and anomaly detection mechanisms are weakened or bypassed. In large organisations handling cross border payments, even limited access to approval systems or vendor records can create opportunities for prolonged concealment of irregular transactions.
Separate Cyber Related Payment Incident Also Probed
SriLankan Airlines also referred to a separate cyber related incident involving an erroneous payment made to a service provider in the United Arab Emirates. Preliminary findings reportedly suggest that the payment may have been linked to a compromised corporate email account.
Investigators are examining whether that incident was isolated or part of a wider cyber enabled attempt to manipulate the airline’s financial operations. The broader inquiry now covers possible digital tampering, unauthorised payment approvals and the use of compromised communication channels in connection with company funds.
Officials said the investigation remains at a preliminary stage and that forensic analysis of financial systems and communication records is continuing. Indian investigative agencies and the airline’s internal compliance teams are conducting what the material describes as a multi layered probe, with further disclosures, financial trails and possible criminal links expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
