Next stop, Sri Lanka: how scammers fleeing Cambodia, Myanmar found a new hub

Sri Lankan authorities are expressing growing concern that the island nation is rapidly transforming into a new nexus for online criminal activity, following a significant rise in arrests of suspected foreign scammers. This development comes in the wake of extensive crackdowns on cybercrime operations in traditional hotspots like Cambodia and Myanmar, prompting criminal networks to seek new bases of operation.

Officials indicate that numerous scam syndicates, displaced from their former strongholds across Southeast Asia, have simply relocated their activities. Sri Lanka has emerged as an increasingly appealing destination for these groups, largely due to its relaxed visa policies, offering easy entry, and a reliable, high-speed internet infrastructure – essential tools for their illicit digital enterprises. These criminal gangs are reportedly setting up operations in various rented properties, ranging from luxurious villas to dedicated office complexes.

Surge in Arrests Signals Growing Problem

The scale of the problem is underscored by recent law enforcement data. Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler revealed that since the beginning of 2026, over 1,000 foreign nationals have been apprehended on suspicion of involvement in cybercrime. The majority of those arrested hail from China, Vietnam, and India. This figure represents a dramatic increase compared to the 430 arrests made throughout the entirety of 2024, with even fewer recorded in the preceding year (2025).

Further evidence of this burgeoning issue emerged last month when Sri Lankan customs officials intercepted nine Chinese nationals. They were attempting to smuggle hundreds of used mobile phones and laptops into the country, raising strong suspicions that these devices were intended for large-scale fraud operations.

Evolving Tactics of Online Scams

The criminal compounds, which have proliferated across Southeast Asia, specialize in luring internet users into various fraudulent schemes. These typically include:

• Fake romantic relationships (romance scams)
• Deceptive cryptocurrency investment opportunities
• Fraudulent online betting platforms

While these criminal groups initially focused on targeting Chinese speakers, their operations have now expanded significantly, encompassing multiple languages to reach a broader global victim base.