May 07, Kathmandu - Sri Lankan authorities have launched a major crackdown on cybercrime activities over the weekend, arresting a total of 231 foreign nationals, including predominantly Chinese and Vietnamese citizens, officials announced on Thursday.

The criminal network, operating across borders, has been allegedly involved in online cryptocurrency scams and other illicit activities, reportedly siphoning billions of dollars annually through various cyber fraud schemes.  

According to police reports, 157 individuals were apprehended last Sunday in the capital during raids in Colombo’s Kakarama area, with an additional 74 arrests made on Wednesday. The suspects, many of whom entered Sri Lanka on tourist visas, are believed to have engaged in illegal cyber activities.  

Police spokesperson Frederick Buttler stated that the arrested persons are involved in cyber scams and that authorities have ordered forensic examinations of seized computers and mobile phones. The confiscated devices, including computers and communication equipment, have been sent for detailed investigation.  

This crackdown follows a previous arrest of 152 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese citizens, who were detained last month for operating cyber cameras from a hotel in Colombo. Additionally, in March, 135 Chinese nationals were deported after similar allegations.  

The Chinese embassy in Colombo had previously warned Sri Lankan authorities to prevent Chinese nationals from participating in cyber scams within the country.  

The Sri Lankan embassy highlighted that the country’s telecommunication infrastructure, favorable geographic location, and relatively lenient visa policies have inadvertently encouraged cybercriminal groups to operate actively in Sri Lanka.

In 2024, authorities have detained approximately 230 Chinese and 200 Indian nationals on charges related to cybercrime across various parts of the island.