Sri Lanka's Cybercrime Crackdown: 173 Indians Among Arrested Foreigners
In a recent crackdown on cybercrime in Sri Lanka, 173 Indians were among 198 foreigners arrested for abusing visas, possessing illicit items, and engaging in cybercrime. The arrests occurred in southern resort areas. Officials highlight Sri Lanka's connectivity and visa access as factors making it prone to such international syndicates.
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Sri Lankan authorities arrested 198 foreigners, including 173 Indians, in connection with illegal digital operations, police reported on Tuesday.
The detentions took place across popular southern resort locales like Galle, Hikkaduwa, and Midigama late Monday evening. The arrested individuals, aged between 25 and 35, were found abusing tourist visas by overstaying and obtaining employment illegally. They were also charged with possessing duty-free imported cigarettes and violating cybercrime laws.
This latest sweep follows last week's detention of 250 Chinese nationals for similar violations, contributing to a total of 628 arrests this year linked to cybercrime. Officials attribute Sri Lanka's growing vulnerability in this domain to its enhanced connectivity and accessible visa processes, which have been exploited by international syndicates for scams targeting victims worldwide.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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