Sri Lankan CID arrests 137 Indians for financial scam

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Sri Lanka has conducted a widespread operation resulting in the apprehension of 137 Indian nationals suspected of being involved in a large-scale online financial scam across multiple locations in the country.

According to Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa, the arrests took place in Negombo, Kochchikade, Madiwela (Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte), and Thalangama (Battaramulla).

In Negombo, 55 suspects were detained along with 55 mobile phones and 29 computers seized. Similarly, in Kochchikade, authorities apprehended 53 individuals and confiscated 31 computers and 58 mobile phones

The operation in Madiwela led to the arrest of 13 suspects and recovery of 8 laptops and 38 mobile phones, while in Thalangama, 16 suspects were taken into custody with 8 laptops and 38 mobile phones recovered.

Accordingly, a total of 158 mobile phones, 16 laptops, and 60 computers were seized from the suspects.

All the arrested suspects are males, said the Spokesman

Further investigation revealed a scheme wherein victims were coerced into making deposits after initial payments. In Peradeniya, a father-son duo admitted to aiding the fraudsters, Daily Mirror Lanka newspaper reported.

Key evidence uncovered during a luxury house raid 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, exposing international links in Dubai and Afghanistan. Victims included both locals and foreigners,” the report added.

It is suspected that they were involved in financial fraud, illegal betting and various activities of gambling.