3 Indians, 12 Chinese Among 21 Foreigners Arrested In Sri Lanka Over Online Scams

Three Indian nationals were among 21 foreigners arrested in Sri Lanka during a raid on a suspected online financial fraud operation in Colombo, police said on Tuesday.

The arrests were made on Monday night, November 2, during a joint operation by the Police Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Department of Immigration and Emigration at a three-storey building near Technical Junction in the Maradana area of central Colombo.

The arrested group comprised 12 Chinese nationals, including two women, six Bangladeshi nationals and three Indians. Police said the suspects were found staying in Sri Lanka without valid visas.

According to local media reports, the building was allegedly being used to operate an online financial fraud racket and other illegal internet-based activities. Authorities have launched an investigation to establish the nature of the suspected scams and identify the wider network involved.

The investigation is being conducted on the instructions of Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, under the direction of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ranmal Kodituwakku. A police team is examining the alleged activities carried out from the premises.

Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up action against foreign nationals suspected of involvement in online scams and other cybercrime activities. Several foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, have been arrested in recent months over alleged cyber fraud operations conducted while staying in the island nation, including on tourist visas.