Sri Lanka is seeing a sharp rise in foreign-linked cyber scam operations, with authorities warning the country risks becoming a new base for international fraud networks displaced from Southeast Asia, according to AFP.
Police say more than 1,000 foreign nationals, mainly from China, Vietnam and India, have been arrested over alleged cybercrime activities since the beginning of 2026, compared to 430 arrests during the whole of 2024.
Authorities believe scam syndicates pushed out of countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar are shifting operations to Sri Lanka, citing the country’s relaxed visa regime and reliable internet infrastructure as key factors.
Police spokesman F.U. Wootler told AFP that recent raids had uncovered operations being run from locations ranging from luxury villas to office spaces.
In one operation this week, police carried out five raids in the Galle and Matara districts, arresting 192 Indian nationals and 29 Nepalis. Another 280 foreign suspects were arrested near Colombo last week, while 135 Chinese nationals were detained in March at a suspected scam centre.
Authorities are also probing whether foreign cybercrime networks may have links to the recent cyberattack involving Sri Lanka’s Treasury, which resulted in losses of around US$2.5 million.
Police have warned landlords against renting properties to suspected scam operators, noting that those facilitating such activities could face legal action. (Newswire)