At least 60 Indian nationals involved in online financial scams have been arrested by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The arrests occurred on Thursday in the Colombo suburbs of Madiwela and Battaramulla, and in the western coastal town of Negombo. The suspects are believed to have been involved in financial fraud, illegal betting, and various gambling activities, NDTV reported.
Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that the CID conducted simultaneous raids in these areas, seizing 135 mobile phones and 57 laptops. The operation was triggered by a complaint from a victim who was enticed into a WhatsApp group promising cash for social media interactions.
Further investigations uncovered a scheme where victims were coerced into making deposits after receiving initial payments. In Peradeniya, a father-son duo admitted to assisting the fraudsters, according to the Daily Mirror Lanka.
A raid on a luxury house in Negombo initially resulted in the arrest of 13 suspects and the confiscation of 57 phones and computers. Subsequent operations in Negombo led to 19 more arrests, revealing international connections in Dubai and Afghanistan. Victims of the scam included both locals and foreigners.