Colombo, Jun 28 : Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested 60 Indian nationals involved in online financial scams across several locations. The arrests took place in the Colombo suburbs of Madiwela and Battaramulla, as well as in the western coastal town of Negombo on Thursday.
Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa reported that the CID conducted simultaneous raids in these areas, resulting in the confiscation of 135 mobile phones and 57 laptops. The crackdown was prompted by a complaint from a victim who had been enticed into a WhatsApp group promising cash rewards for social media engagements.
Further investigation uncovered a scheme where victims were coerced into making deposits following initial payments. In Peradeniya, a father-son duo confessed to aiding the fraudsters, as per the Daily Mirror Lanka newspaper.
A significant breakthrough occurred during a raid on a luxury residence in Negombo, where 13 suspects were initially apprehended, and additional evidence, including 57 phones and computers, was seized. Subsequent operations in Negombo led to the arrest of 19 more individuals, revealing connections to Dubai and Afghanistan. The victims targeted by the scam included both locals and foreigners.
The suspects are suspected of involvement in financial fraud, illegal betting, and various forms of gambling activities.
