Cyber crime crackdown: 173 Indians among foreigners arrested in Sri Lanka

Nearly 200 foreigners, including 173 from India, have been arrested in Sri Lanka as part of the ongoing crackdown on cybercrime operations, according to local police.

The arrest were made from the southern resort areas of Galle, Hikkaduwa and Midigama late on Monday, May 11, PTI reported.

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Among those arrested are 198 foreign nationals, including 173 Indians and 25 from Nepal. All of them are said to be between the 25 and 35 age group.

According to Sri Lankan police officials, those arrested will be charged with abusing tourist visas by overstaying and finding employment. Further, they possessed duty-free imported cigarettes and got engaged in activities covered under cybercrime laws.

This comes after 250 Chinese nationals were taken into custody last week for the same offence.

Until May 5, as many as 628 foreigners had been arrested in the island nation since the beginning of the year for cybercrime operations while temporarily located in the country.

Among those arrested include people from China, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and Cambodia.

Officials have said that such groups are often seen to be part of wider international syndicates that target victims abroad using digital platforms and communication systems.

Law enforcement agencies have suggested that the country’s connectivity and visa access likely contributed to making it vulnerable to such activities, with several suspects accused of entering the country on short-term permits.