As many as 137 Indian nationals who were allegedly involved in a large-scale online financial scam across multiple locations in Sri Lanka have been arrested by police, according to a media report on Friday.
They were arrested on Thursday from the Colombo suburbs of Madiwela and Battaramulla and the western coastal town of Negombo, said Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror newspaper.
He said the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducted simultaneous raids in these areas, leading to the seizure of 158 mobile phones, 16 laptops, and 60 desktop computers.
In Negombo, 55 suspects were detained along with 55 mobile phones and 29 laptops.
Similarly, in Kochchikade, authorities apprehended 53 individuals and confiscated 31 laptops and 58 mobile phones.
The operation in Madiwela led to the arrest of 13 suspects and recovery of eight laptops and 38 mobile phones, while in Thalangama, 16 suspects were taken into custody with eight laptops and 38 mobile phones.
The SSP said that all the arrested suspects were males.
The crackdown follows a complaint from a victim who was lured into a WhatsApp group promising cash for social media interactions.
Further investigation revealed a scheme where victims were coerced into making deposits after initial payments. In Peradeniya, a father-son duo admitted to aiding the fraudsters, the newspaper reported.
Key evidence uncovered during a luxury house raid in Negombo led to the initial arrest of 13 suspects and the seizure of 57 phones and computers.
Subsequent operations in Negombo yielded 19 additional arrests, exposing international links in Dubai and Afghanistan. Victims included both locals and foreigners, the report added.
It is suspected that they were involved in financial fraud, illegal betting and various activities of gambling.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Sri Lanka Implements Free Tourist Visas To Nationals From India, 6 Nations India Issues Updated Travel Advisory For Sri Lanka India Extends Tsunami Warning Services to Sri Lanka, Seychelles BJP Alleges Rahul Gandhi Insulted Hindus, He Responds With RSS Jab 2 Ministers, MP Lead Fight Back On Rahul Gandhi's Alleged Insult Of Hindus Trump Has Some Immunity From Prosecution As Ex President: US Supreme Court CBSE Quashes Reports On Inability To Conduct Board Exams Twice A Year India Saw 536 Heatwave Days This Summer, Highest Since 2010: Weather Office Category 4 Hurricane 'Beryl' Makes Landfall On Caribbean Island Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.