Online Fraud: 54 Foreigners Arrested in Major Sri Lankan Raid

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Law enforcement authorities apprehended 54 Chinese nationals and one Japanese woman in the Kalpitiya area on suspicion of engaging in online fraud. 

The suspects allegedly defrauded money through online schemes.

Following their arrest, 11 suspects were presented before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court and subsequently remanded until the 12th. 

Meanwhile, the remaining members of the group were released on bail, each required to pay five hundred thousand rupees. 

A raid was conducted at a hotel in the Kalpitiya area based on information received by the Puttalam Crimes Division. 

The operation, carried out last night, led to the arrest of 52 Chinese nationals and a Japanese woman. 

Among those arrested were nine Chinese women.

Following the arrests, the suspects were taken to the Norochcholai police station. 

Two additional suspects, both Chinese nationals, were apprehended later while surveilling the police station. 

Authorities recovered over Rs. 10 million from their possession.

"A hotel in the Kalpitiya area of Puttalam was searched based on a search warrant obtained from the Magistrate's Court. The arrest was made after discovering that this group of foreigners was using computers to conduct suspicious online oney transactions," said DIG Ruwan Gunasekara (Attorney-at-Law), the Acting Police Spokesperson.

During the raid, police recovered 98 mobile phones, 44 laptops, and numerous SIM cards from the suspects. 

This operation is part of an ongoing effort to crack down on illegal activities involving foreign nationals. 

Similar arrests have been made in areas such as Battaramulla and Negombo, involving foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, suspected of engaging in illicit activities.