Colombo. Sri Lankan authorities have arrested more than 130 foreign nationals in a major cybercrime crackdown after coordinated raids exposed an alleged international online fraud network operating from suburban locations near Colombo. Investigators said the suspects were linked to organised digital scam operations allegedly targeting victims abroad through online platforms and communication systems.
Raids Conducted in Thalangama and Rajagiriya
The first major operation was carried out in Thalangama, a suburb of Colombo, where 37 Chinese nationals were taken into custody. Officials said one woman was among those arrested. Several detainees reportedly did not have valid visas, while one suspect was found without a passport.
FCRF Academy Launches Premier Anti-Money Laundering Certification Program
In a separate raid in Rajagiriya, another suburb near Colombo, more than 100 additional individuals were detained. Authorities said the operation was being run from a rented apartment, which allegedly served as a coordinated hub for online fraudulent activities.
Suspects From Multiple Countries Detained
According to investigators, those arrested include nationals from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia. Preliminary findings suggest that the network may be part of a wider transnational cyber syndicate operating across several countries.
All suspects have been charged under Sri Lanka’s Computer Crimes Act, which deals with hacking, data misuse and online financial fraud. Officials said similar enforcement actions have increased in recent months as interconnected fraud rings continue to surface.
International Links Under Investigation
Authorities said around 150 foreign nationals had also been arrested in April in a separate cyber fraud investigation, most of them Chinese citizens. The repeated discoveries have raised concerns that Sri Lanka may be used as a base for international cybercrime groups.
Investigators are now examining the financial channels, technical infrastructure and operational hierarchy behind the syndicate. Officials suspect that those arrested may represent only part of a larger global network with links across multiple jurisdictions.
All detained suspects remain under interrogation. Sri Lankan authorities have intensified coordination with international law enforcement agencies to trace the wider network and identify the key individuals behind the operation.
