Sri Lanka Arrests Hundreds Of Foreigners In Cybercrime Crackdown

Sri Lankan authorities have arrested over 600 foreign nationals, including Indian citizens, in a major cybercrime crackdown, revealing the country's susceptibility to international criminal networks.

More than 600 foreigners, including Indian nationals, have been arrested for their involvement in cybercrime operations in Sri Lanka so far this year, police said on Tuesday.

Foreign Nationals Involved in Cybercrime Face Arrest

"We have arrested 628 foreigners so far this year, starting from January 1," Sri Lankan Police Spokesman F. T. Wootler said.

"Among them are Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Myanmar, Philippines and Cambodians," Wootler said.

He said most of the arrests were made in popular Colombo suburbs and urged locals to keep the police informed about their tenants.

Police Urge Public Cooperation

"In consideration of the security arrangements, the police earnestly direct the public to keep the police informed when you rent out your house, apartment, business premises or rooms," Wootler said.

The police in multiple raids this year arrested organised foreign-led groups carrying out cybercrime activities and seized computers and devices, he said.

He added that most of those arrested were tourist visa overstayers.

International Cybercrime Syndicates Targeted

In the latest arrest earlier this week, 157 foreigners were arrested, the police said.

Officials say such groups are often part of wider international syndicates that target victims abroad using digital platforms and communication systems.

Law enforcement agencies have often suggested that Sri Lanka's connectivity and visa access are likely to have contributed to making it vulnerable to such activities, with some suspects accused of entering the country on short-term permits.