At least 12 Indian nationals suspected of being involved in cybercrimes were apprehended during a recent raid in central Sri Lanka, as reported by local media on Tuesday. This raid, led by Senior DIG Central Province Lalith Pathinayake, resulted in the arrest of an organized group of Indian nationals believed to be responsible for cybercrimes in Kandy, a city located about 120 kilometers east of Colombo.

The Kandy Crime Investigations Unit confiscated 22 desktop computers, four laptops, over 50 sophisticated cell phones, eleven ATM cards, and various other equipment from the suspects’ residence in Halloluwa. Further investigations indicated that they had rented the house for a hefty monthly sum of Rs 3,00,000 to conduct their illicit activities discreetly.

The police sources revealed that the arrested individuals were suspected of operating an international-level betting operation through the internet, alongside other computer-related crimes. The authorities are currently delving deeper into the activities of these individuals to uncover the extent of their operations.

It was reported last week that the Sri Lankan police had apprehended over 200 foreigners, primarily Indians, for their involvement in online financial scams. The investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department revealed that the fraudulent funds obtained were being funneled into bank accounts in the UK, Dubai, and India.

While individuals from various nationalities were among the arrested suspects, including Chinese, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Nepali nationals, the majority were Indian nationals. The police mentioned that around 400 computers utilized by the suspects were being examined as part of the ongoing investigations.

In a separate incident, a group of 60 Indian nationals was arrested from different locations around Colombo, with raids conducted in Madiwela, Battaramulla, and Negombo. These operations led to the seizure of 135 mobile phones and 57 laptops from the suspects.

In another development, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) along with the Kochchikade Police took into custody 205 foreigners, with 136 of them being Indian nationals, who had entered Sri Lanka on tourist visas. These individuals were allegedly involved in various unlawful activities, including online scams and online gambling related to the T20 Cricket World Cup series.

Furthermore, on June 28, a group of 30 Chinese nationals, who were staying in Negombo, were arrested for engaging in a crypto-currency racket. The CID conducted the raid, leading to the detention of these individuals, including three women, for their involvement in the illicit scheme.

The ongoing crackdown on foreign nationals involved in criminal activities on tourist visas underscores the Sri Lankan authorities’ commitment to combating cybercrimes and other illegal operations within the country. The recent spate of arrests highlights the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order and ensure the safety and security of the citizens.

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