Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Delhi and Aanya Wipulasena in Colombo

Sri Lanka sees ‘alarming’ rise in cybercrime as scam networks relocate from south-east Asia

Prison guards escort detained Chinese nationals suspected of running scam centres in Sri Lanka.
Prison guards escort detained Chinese nationals suspected of running scam centres in Sri Lanka. Photograph: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP

Experts have warned that Sri Lanka is emerging as a hub for transnational cybercrime, after a crackdown in south-east Asia pushed Chinese-run criminal networks to relocate their vast scam operations.

Sri Lankan police spokesperson Fredrick Wootler said the country was witnessing an “alarming increase of cybercrimes” perpetrated by people entering the country as tourists, and then illegally setting up scam operations targeting people across the world.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.