By: Isuru Parakrama
October 17, Colombo (LNW): In response to a surge in online scams perpetrated by foreign nationals, predominantly Chinese, Sri Lanka’s police are seeking legal guidance from relevant authorities, including the Attorney General’s Department, to modernise laws and regulations.
Police Spokesman, DIG Nihal Thalduwa, emphasised that current laws need to evolve to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. He stated, “The rules concerning online scams should be updated to reflect how crimes are changing.”
At present, the police are operating under the Computer Crimes Act, but Thalduwa noted that its provisions must be enhanced to tackle the latest technological advancements, enabling more effective prevention of such crimes.
Over the past week, more than 300 foreign nationals have been arrested across various regions of Sri Lanka for their involvement in large-scale online scams.
As part of these operations, authorities have confiscated nearly 500 mobile phones and 300 computers.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday night (15), when at least ten foreign nationals were arrested at a hotel in Chilaw.
The group, which included two women, was apprehended in connection with online financial fraud, and officers from the Puttalam Division Crimes Investigation Bureau seized 282 mobile phones, 20 computers, and three routers during the raid.
Amongst those arrestees were four Malaysian nationals, four Ethiopians, a Kenyan woman, and a Chinese national. The suspects had been staying at a hotel on Iranavila Road in Chilaw, which was reportedly operating as a “scam camp.”
According to the police, these camps are often established in secluded areas, where spacious and comfortable accommodations are provided to the suspects to carry out fraudulent activities in isolation.
DIG Thalduwa highlighted that properties used as scam camps are a growing issue in Sri Lanka, reminiscent of situations where Sri Lankans were trapped in scam networks in Myanmar.
He warned that individuals providing such accommodations could face criminal charges, as these properties play a key role in facilitating online fraud.
Thalduwa also remarked on the challenges facing scam victims, noting that it is nearly impossible for them to recover lost money once the crime has been committed.
As internet-related crimes continue to rise, the police and relevant bodies are pushing for more robust measures to address the new wave of cybercriminal activity, ensuring the country’s laws are in step with the evolving nature of online crime.
