Sri Lanka Arrests 9 Chinese Nationals for Smuggling Suspected Scam Devices
Sri Lankan authorities arrested 9 Chinese nationals at the international airport for attempting to smuggle hundreds of communication devices strapped to their bodies, suspected to be used for cyber scams.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 20:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 21:02 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 00:15 (51h 13m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Colombo, 16th - Foreign dispatch) Sri Lankan customs authorities stated that nine Chinese nationals were arrested today at the country's main international airport, suspected of attempting to smuggle communication devices into the country. These devices are suspected to be used for cyber scams.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that Sri Lankan police detained 152 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, just two weeks ago. They were accused of operating a cyber scam hub from a hotel in the northwestern part of the country.
A spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs noted that in this latest case, officials seized 383 used smartphones, 101 tablet computers, 6 Wi-Fi routers, and Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers from the 9 Chinese citizens.
The spokesperson said, "The suspects strapped these devices to their bodies." This batch of illegal items is valued at 24 million rupees (about NT$2.4 million) and was completely confiscated.
Sri Lankan officials also mentioned that another six Chinese passengers were arrested today, suspected of attempting to smuggle 75,900 cigarettes hidden in their luggage into the country.
This batch of cigarettes is valued at 11.3 million rupees and was subsequently confiscated.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized crime groups utilize casinos, hotels, and heavily guarded compounds across Southeast Asia as bases to conduct sophisticated cyber scam activities, such as defrauding people of money through cryptocurrency investment scams and fake romantic relationships.
Before multiple Southeast Asian countries launched anti-scam operations this year, the region was the center of a multi-billion dollar cyber scam industry. Hundreds of thousands of scammers defraud internet users globally using various tactics; some are victims of human trafficking, while others join voluntarily. (Translated by: Hung Pei-ying) 1150416
(CNA, Colombo, 16th - Foreign dispatch) Sri Lankan customs authorities stated that nine Chinese nationals were arrested today at the country's main international airport, suspected of attempting to smuggle communication devices into the country. These devices are suspected to be used for cyber scams.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that Sri Lankan police detained 152 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, just two weeks ago. They were accused of operating a cyber scam hub from a hotel in the northwestern part of the country.
A spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs noted that in this latest case, officials seized 383 used smartphones, 101 tablet computers, 6 Wi-Fi routers, and Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers from the 9 Chinese citizens.
The spokesperson said, "The suspects strapped these devices to their bodies." This batch of illegal items is valued at 24 million rupees (about NT$2.4 million) and was completely confiscated.
Sri Lankan officials also mentioned that another six Chinese passengers were arrested today, suspected of attempting to smuggle 75,900 cigarettes hidden in their luggage into the country.
This batch of cigarettes is valued at 11.3 million rupees and was subsequently confiscated.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized crime groups utilize casinos, hotels, and heavily guarded compounds across Southeast Asia as bases to conduct sophisticated cyber scam activities, such as defrauding people of money through cryptocurrency investment scams and fake romantic relationships.
Before multiple Southeast Asian countries launched anti-scam operations this year, the region was the center of a multi-billion dollar cyber scam industry. Hundreds of thousands of scammers defraud internet users globally using various tactics; some are victims of human trafficking, while others join voluntarily. (Translated by: Hung Pei-ying) 1150416