Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 137 Indian nationals suspected of orchestrating a large-scale online financial scam across multiple locations in the country, according to a media report on Friday. The arrests were made on Thursday in the Colombo suburbs of Madiwela and Battaramulla, as well as the western coastal town of Negombo, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told the Daily Mirror newspaper.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducted coordinated raids in these areas, resulting in the seizure of 158 mobile phones, 16 laptops, and 60 desktop computers. In Negombo, 55 suspects were detained along with 55 mobile phones and 29 laptops.
In Kochchikade, authorities apprehended 53 individuals and confiscated 31 laptops and 58 mobile phones. The operation in Madiwela led to the arrest of 13 suspects and the recovery of eight laptops and 38 mobile phones, while in Thalangama, 16 suspects were taken into custody with eight laptops and 38 mobile phones. All the arrested suspects were males, SSP Thalduwa confirmed.
The crackdown was initiated following a complaint from a victim who had been lured into a WhatsApp group with promises of cash rewards for social media interactions. Further investigation revealed a scheme where victims were coerced into making deposits after receiving initial payments. In Peradeniya, a father-son duo admitted to aiding the fraudsters, the newspaper reported.
Key evidence uncovered during a raid on a luxury house in Negombo led to the initial arrest of 13 suspects and the seizure of 57 phones and computers. Subsequent operations in Negombo yielded 19 additional arrests, revealing international links to Dubai and Afghanistan. The scam targeted both local and foreign victims.
The suspects are believed to be involved in financial fraud, illegal betting, and various gambling activities. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the scam and its international connections.