June 28th 2024.
Authorities in Colombo have detained a group of 60 individuals from India who were found to be involved in online financial scams. The arrests took place on Thursday in the areas of Madiwela and Battaramulla in Colombo, as well as in the town of Negombo on the western coast. The Sri Lankan Criminal Investigations Department was responsible for conducting the raids, which resulted in the confiscation of 135 mobile phones and 57 laptops, according to Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa.
The crackdown was initiated after a victim reported falling prey to a WhatsApp group that promised easy money in exchange for social media interactions. Upon further investigation, authorities uncovered a more elaborate scheme where victims were coerced into making deposits after receiving initial payments. In one instance, a father-son duo from Peradeniya admitted to aiding the fraudsters, according to a report by the Daily Mirror Lanka newspaper.
The investigation took a significant turn when authorities conducted a raid at a luxurious house in Negombo, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects and the seizure of 57 phones and computers. Further operations in Negombo resulted in 19 more arrests, revealing connections to Dubai and Afghanistan. The victims of these scams included both locals and foreigners, highlighting the international reach of these criminal activities.
It is believed that the apprehended individuals were involved in a range of illegal activities, including financial fraud, illegal betting, and various forms of gambling. The authorities are continuing their investigations to uncover the full extent of the scam and bring all those involved to justice. This recent crackdown serves as a warning to those who engage in such deceitful practices and sends a message that such actions will not be tolerated.
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