Sri Lanka is seeing a surge in arrests of suspected foreign cybercriminals as scam networks relocate after crackdowns in Cambodia and Myanmar and increased regional enforcement. Multiple outlets report that Sri Lankan authorities worry the island is becoming a new hub for online scam operations targeting victims across Asia, including countries such as India, Vietnam and the Philippines. Officials say some networks pushed out of Southeast Asian hotspots have shifted to Sri Lanka, which is viewed as attractive due to factors such as a relatively relaxed visa regime and access to reliable, high-speed internet.
Since the start of the year, Sri Lankan police have arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals on allegations of involvement in cybercrime. Reporting indicates the arrested individuals are mainly from China, Vietnam and India, reflecting the international footprint of the suspected networks. China has also publicly acknowledged the geographical shift, citing stepped-up cooperation with regional governments to curb scam networks.
Authorities and reporting collectively describe the development as part of a broader pattern of displacement following regional crackdowns rather than evidence of any single new origin point.
