Sri Lanka has arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals this year over alleged involvement in cybercrime, as authorities warn that scam networks displaced from Cambodia and Myanmar are increasingly moving operations to the island nation.
Officials said some organised cyber fraud groups pushed out of other Southeast Asian countries have started setting up bases in Sri Lanka, attracted by relaxed visa policies and stable high-speed internet access.
Police spokesman Frederick Wootler said over 1,000 foreigners have been arrested since the beginning of the year, most of them from China, Vietnam, and India. The figure marks a sharp rise compared to the 430 arrests recorded throughout 2024.
Last month, customs officials intercepted 9 Chinese nationals who were allegedly attempting to smuggle hundreds of used mobile phones and laptops. Authorities suspect the devices were meant for large-scale online fraud operations.
Officials also warned that scam websites linked to fake romantic relationships, cryptocurrency investment schemes, and online gambling continue to operate widely across Southeast Asia.
Authorities said the networks operating from Sri Lanka have been targeting victims across Asia, including India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Investigators are also examining whether foreign cybercrime groups were connected to the recent cyberattack on Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, which reportedly caused losses of nearly US$2.5 million.
Police have intensified raids and deportation drives targeting groups believed to have relocated from Myanmar and Cambodia. Officials said the networks exploited 30-day tourist visa policies available to citizens of more than 40 countries, including India and China.
Authorities added that scam groups rented luxury villas, apartments, and office spaces across Sri Lanka. Property owners have now been warned not to lease properties to suspected cybercrime operators or risk legal action.
In recent raids, police arrested 192 Indian nationals and 29 Nepalis in Galle and Matara districts. Another 280 foreign suspects were arrested near Colombo last week, while 135 Chinese nationals were detained in March at a separate scam centre.
A United Nations report released this year estimated that at least 300,000 people have been trafficked into scam centres across Southeast Asia.
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