May 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan authorities have detained 198 foreign nationals in a series of coordinated operations carried out across Galle, Hikkaduwa and Midigama, following allegations of large-scale cybercrime activities targeting individuals overseas.
Police stated that the group comprised 173 Indian citizens and 25 Nepalese nationals, many of whom were allegedly operating from rented accommodation and guesthouses in the Southern Province. Investigators suspect the network had been involved in sophisticated online scams and other offences linked to computer-related crime.
Among those arrested were 110 Indian nationals taken into custody during raids at two lodges located in the Galwadugoda and Sri Sumedha Mawatha areas of Galle. The operation was led by officers attached to the Galle Police, who had reportedly been conducting surveillance for several days before moving in.
The suspects, believed to be between the ages of 19 and 35, are currently being questioned by investigators. During the searches, police seized a large quantity of electronic equipment, including 58 laptop and desktop computers along with 79 mobile telephones suspected to have been used in the alleged operations.