In a significant operation, Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested approximately 60 Indian nationals involved in online financial scams. The arrests, made across Colombo suburbs and Negombo, were part of a crackdown following complaints about a WhatsApp-based scheme promising monetary rewards for social media engagement.
Seized during the raids were 135 mobile phones and 57 laptops, underscoring the scale of the operation. Further investigations revealed connections to international networks in Dubai and Afghanistan, highlighting the transnational nature of the cyber crime operations. The suspects are believed to have engaged in financial fraud, illegal betting, and other illicit activities, impacting both local residents and foreign nationals alike.