More foreigners arrested in Sri Lanka cyber crime crackdown

On May 5, police said 628 foreigners, including Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Myanmar, Philippines and Cambodian nationals, were arrested for their involvement in cybercrime operations in Sri Lanka so far in 2026 for cyber crime operations while temporarily located in the country.

Sri Lanka on Thursday said it arrested over 70 foreign nationals, all from Vietnam, for their involvement in cybercrime operations. The arrest of 74 Vietnamese takes the number of foreigners, including Indian nationals, arrested since January 1 to 628. The 74 persons have been arrested and produced before the Colombo Fort magistrate court on Thursday, police said. The 41 men and 33 women, aged between 19 and 39, are charged with violating visit visas and indulging in cyber related financial fraud. On May 5, police said 628 foreigners, including Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Myanmar, Philippines and Cambodian nationals, were arrested for their involvement in cybercrime operations in Sri Lanka so far in 2026 for cyber crime operations while temporarily located in the country. Most of the arrests were made in popular Colombo suburbs. Most of those arrested were tourist visa overstayers. Officials say such groups are often part of wider international syndicates that target victims abroad using digital platforms and communication systems. Law enforcement agencies have often suggested that Sri Lanka's connectivity and visa access are likely to have contributed to making it vulnerable to such activities, with some suspects accused of entering the country on short-term permits.