19 foreigners arrested over online financial fraud

11-May-2026

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Police have arrested a group of 19 foreign nationals who had allegedly been staying in Sri Lanka in violation of immigration laws and engaging in financial fraud through illegal online platforms.

Police said the suspects were arrested at a hotel in the Kompanna Veediya area.

The arrests were made following a tip-off received by the Officer-in-Charge of the Kompanna Veediya Police Station, after which rooms on the 11th and 12th floors of the hotel were searched.

Those arrested include one woman from mainland China and 18 Chinese nationals. Police also seized 399 mobile phones, 14 laptops, two desktop computers, Rs. 473,870 in cash, and 600 cigarettes allegedly brought into the country illegally.

Initial investigations have revealed that the suspects did not possess valid passports or visa permits to remain in Sri Lanka. The arrested individuals are reportedly between 25 and 37 years of age. Further investigations are being carried out by Kompanna Veediya Police.