Southeast Asia scam networks have shifted to Sri Lanka, and more than one thousand foreign suspects were arrested in 2026

Singapore media CNA reported on May 17 that after large-scale crackdowns in Cambodia, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka saw a surge in arrests of suspected foreign scammers. Sri Lanka Police spokesperson Frederick Wootteler confirmed that since 2026, more than 1,000 foreign suspects have been arrested, mainly from China, Vietnam and India—far higher than the 430 arrests in all of 2024.

Confirmed data on the number of arrests

According to Sri Lanka Police spokesperson Frederick Wootteler’s confirmation:

Foreign suspects arrested from 2026 to date: more than 1,000 people (mainly from China, Vietnam and India)

Arrests for all of 2024: 430 people

Late Monday (May 2026): five raids in the coastal Galle and Matara areas resulted in the capture of 192 Indian suspects and 29 Nepali suspects

Last week: 280 foreign suspects were arrested near the capital Colombo

March 2026: 135 Chinese citizens were arrested at a scam center

Confirmed scam network characteristics and recent incidents

Reasons for transfers (officials’ explanation): Sri Lanka provides 30-day tourist visas to nationals of more than 40 Asian countries, has reliable high-speed internet, and access can be done through online applications, making the entry threshold lower.

Criminal methods: These online scam networks lure users into creating fake romantic relationships, and operate cryptocurrency investment and gambling platforms; the range of victims has expanded from the initial Chinese-speaking individuals to victims in multiple languages. The target includes victims from India, Vietnam and the Philippines, and authorities are also concerned that local Sri Lankans could become the next batch of targets.

Confirmed incident in April 2026: Customs intercepted nine Chinese citizens attempting to smuggle several hundred used mobile phones and laptops, and authorities are investigating whether the related items were used for scams.

Criminal bases: The criminal groups rent various locations, ranging from luxury villas to office buildings.

Officially confirmed response measures

Sri Lanka Police: They have started warning property owners not to rent villas and apartments to operators suspected of running scams, and stated that landlords may face prosecution for assisting in criminal activities. Wootteler said the police “receive a large number of calls every day.”

Chinese Embassy in Colombo: In an official statement, it confirmed that after law-enforcement actions in Cambodia, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates, there has been an increase in illegal activity in Sri Lanka. The statement says that “the Chinese government attaches great importance to this trend,” and pledges to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka’s law-enforcement agencies.

Investigation confirmation into the Sri Lankan treasury cyberattack

Authorities are investigating whether foreign criminal groups were involved in recent cyberattacks targeting Sri Lanka’s treasury, which caused losses of about $2.5 million. As of the time of CNA’s report, the investigation results have not been released.

FAQs

Why has Sri Lanka become a new transfer destination for scam networks?

According to the explanation from Sri Lankan officials, the main attractions are: a more relaxed policy that offers 30-day tourist visas to nationals of more than 40 Asian countries, reliable high-speed internet infrastructure, and the convenience of entering via online applications, which lowers the entry threshold.

How much did the number of arrests in 2026 increase compared with 2024?

Based on the confirmed figures provided by spokesperson Frederick Wootteler, since 2026 more than 1,000 foreign suspects have been arrested—far higher than the 430 arrests in all of 2024. The arrested foreigners mainly came from China, Vietnam and India.

What is the Chinese Embassy’s official position on the scam network issue in Sri Lanka?

In an official statement, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo confirmed that after law-enforcement actions in Cambodia, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates, illegal activity in Sri Lanka increased, and said that “the Chinese government attaches great importance to this trend,” pledging to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka’s law-enforcement agencies.