An ongoing investigation into online financial frauds in Sri Lanka has uncovered that most of the targeted accounts belong to Chinese nationals, with only a limited number of local accounts affected. Since October 2024, over 200 Chinese nationals have been arrested across the island on charges of participating in online scams, including overstaying visas. A significant number of mobile phones and laptops were seized during the raids.
In response, the Chinese Embassy confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and that efforts to repatriate the arrested individuals are underway. Investigations have revealed that Sri Lanka’s telecommunications infrastructure, its strategic location, and strong ties with China have made it an attractive base for electronic fraud syndicates targeting Chinese citizens both in Sri Lanka and abroad.
CID Director SSP Imesha Muthumala told the Daily Mirror that investigations into the involvement of foreign nationals in these frauds are ongoing, with further inquiries expected to identify additional culprits. The majority of the accounts targeted in the fraud activities were found to be owned by Chinese nationals.
Several Chinese nationals arrested in connection with the scams have been granted bail, and further charges are pending. Due to the language barrier, the progress of the investigation has been hindered, as the data retrieved from the suspects’ devices is in Chinese. To address this, the Sri Lankan Police, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requested support from China’s Special Criminal Investigation Unit.
In response, 10 officers from the Unit have arrived in Sri Lanka to assist in the investigation alongside the Sri Lankan CID.
