Sri Lanka Busts Online Scam Centers, Arrests 231 Foreigners
Sri Lankan police busted online scam centers in the capital Colombo, arresting 231 foreign nationals, predominantly from China and Vietnam. Many suspects reportedly entered on tourist visas and were working illegally.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 17:52
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 18:02 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 18:10 (8 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Colombo, 7th, compiled from foreign dispatches) Sri Lankan officials stated today that police busted suspected online scam centers in the capital Colombo over the weekend, arresting 231 foreign nationals, mostly from China and Vietnam.
According to AFP, Sri Lankan authorities raided two suspected online scam centers on the 3rd, arresting a total of 157 people; yesterday, another 74 people were arrested at a third location. A total of 231 people were arrested in the two-day raids.
Sri Lankan police spokesperson Frederick Wootler stated: "These individuals entered on tourist visas but were working illegally, and some suspects had overstayed their visas."
Sri Lanka has recently been vigorously cracking down on scams, including an online fraud operation busted over a month ago at a hotel in the country's northwest, where 152 foreigners, mostly Chinese, were arrested.
In March, the immigration department arrested 135 Chinese citizens suspected of engaging in similar scams, and these individuals have since been repatriated to their home country. The Chinese Embassy in Colombo stated at the time that it was working closely with relevant Sri Lankan departments to prevent Chinese citizens from engaging in fraudulent activities there.
In 2024, Sri Lanka arrested 230 Chinese and 200 Indians, who were accused of operating cybercrime centers in various locations across Sri Lanka. (Translator: Gao Zhao-fen / Editor: Liu Shu-qin) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is a power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.
(Central News Agency, Colombo, 7th, compiled from foreign dispatches) Sri Lankan officials stated today that police busted suspected online scam centers in the capital Colombo over the weekend, arresting 231 foreign nationals, mostly from China and Vietnam.
According to AFP, Sri Lankan authorities raided two suspected online scam centers on the 3rd, arresting a total of 157 people; yesterday, another 74 people were arrested at a third location. A total of 231 people were arrested in the two-day raids.
Sri Lankan police spokesperson Frederick Wootler stated: "These individuals entered on tourist visas but were working illegally, and some suspects had overstayed their visas."
Sri Lanka has recently been vigorously cracking down on scams, including an online fraud operation busted over a month ago at a hotel in the country's northwest, where 152 foreigners, mostly Chinese, were arrested.
In March, the immigration department arrested 135 Chinese citizens suspected of engaging in similar scams, and these individuals have since been repatriated to their home country. The Chinese Embassy in Colombo stated at the time that it was working closely with relevant Sri Lankan departments to prevent Chinese citizens from engaging in fraudulent activities there.
In 2024, Sri Lanka arrested 230 Chinese and 200 Indians, who were accused of operating cybercrime centers in various locations across Sri Lanka. (Translator: Gao Zhao-fen / Editor: Liu Shu-qin) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is a power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.