MONETABRIEF – Sri Lanka Police have raided a hotel with 32 Chinese nationals and taken 23 computers and accessories to custody over suspected cyber fraud activities.
The hotel in Nulluruwa, Panadura, was searched with the help of the Police Special Task Force and Criminal Investigation Department.
Panadura police had obtained search warrant from the Magistrate to conduct the search after receiving information that a group of foreigners were engaging in financial fraud through the internet.
Police have taken into custody 23 computers and accessories to investigate whether they were engaging in internet fraud.
Sri Lanka Police is asking the public to be vigilant over foreigners renting properties and hotels as large groups.
Sri Lanka has become a hub for online gambling and cryptocurrency frauds after the crackdowns in the Phillippines and Cambodia where most the largest syndicates were based.
At least one blockchain cryptocurrency firm that can off-ramp criminal internet casino proceeds have also shifted to Sri Lanka. (Colombo/Nov08/2026)