Sri Lanka has arrested more than 1,000 foreign suspects this year over alleged involvement in cybercrime, as authorities warn that scam networks displaced by crackdowns in Cambodia and Myanmar are increasingly shifting operations to the island nation.
Sri Lanka Emerging as New Base for Scam Networks
Officials said some scam groups driven out of other Southeast Asian countries had established new bases in Sri Lanka, attracted by relaxed visa rules and stable high speed internet. The rise has raised concern among authorities that the country could quickly become a new hub for online crime.
Police spokesman Frederick Wootler said more than 1,000 foreigners had been arrested since the start of the year over alleged involvement in cybercrime, most of them from China, Vietnam and India. That figure is sharply higher than the 430 arrests recorded during all of 2024.
Last month, Sri Lankan customs officers intercepted nine Chinese nationals who were allegedly attempting to smuggle hundreds of used mobile phones and laptops, amid suspicions that the devices were intended for use in large scale fraud operations. Officials also said scam websites used by fraudsters to lure internet users into fake romantic relationships, cryptocurrency investments and gambling platforms remain widespread across Southeast Asia.
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Raids Intensify as Authorities Broaden Crackdown
Authorities said networks operating in Sri Lanka were targeting victims across Asia, including in India, Vietnam and the Philippines, while concern was growing that Sri Lankans themselves could also become targets. Investigators are also examining whether foreign criminal groups were involved in the recent cyberattack on Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, which resulted in losses of about US$2.5 million.
Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up raids and deportations, focusing on groups believed to have relocated from Myanmar and Cambodia. Officials said these networks had exploited 30 day tourist visas available to nationals of more than 40 countries, including India and China, while people from other countries could also apply online with relative ease.
Police said the groups had rented a range of properties in Sri Lanka, from luxury villas to office buildings. Property owners have now been warned not to rent villas or apartments to suspected scam groups, with authorities cautioning that they could face prosecution for aiding a criminal offence.
Regional Concern Deepens as Arrests Rise
The scope of the crackdown has become clearer in recent weeks. Wootler said police were receiving a large number of tip off calls each day. In a single night this week, officers carried out five raids in the coastal districts of Galle and Matara, arresting 192 Indian suspects and 29 Nepalis. A further 280 foreign suspects were arrested last week near Colombo, while 135 Chinese nationals were arrested in March at one scam centre.
Immigration authorities have taken on a larger role in the investigation as the number of cases has grown. China has also acknowledged the geographical shift. The Chinese embassy in Colombo said illegal activity in Sri Lanka had risen after law enforcement action in Cambodia, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates, and pledged cooperation with Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies.
The developments reflect a broader regional crisis. A United Nations report released this year estimated that at least 300,000 people had been trafficked into scam centres in Southeast Asia. Sri Lankan officials said they had not found evidence of foreign nationals being trafficked into the country, though dozens of Sri Lankans had been rescued from scam centres abroad over the past year. Authorities said they were continuing efforts to deport foreigners who overstayed visas and ensure that those involved in online crime are punished through the courts.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
