The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka in the fight against online and telecom fraud, following recent arrests of foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, involved in fraudulent activities.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy expressed concern over the arrests, noting that such crimes threaten the property of both Chinese and Sri Lankan citizens, tarnishing China’s global image and potentially harming the longstanding relationship between the two nations. The Embassy reiterated its full support for Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies in bringing the suspects to justice while ensuring their rights are protected under the law.
Telecom and online fraud has been a growing issue in China since the 1990s, and the Chinese government has implemented aggressive measures to tackle the problem. The Embassy highlighted that China has seen significant success in its crackdown on these crimes, with the number of fraud cases in the country dropping for 17 consecutive months since mid-2021. Despite these gains, online fraud has emerged as a global problem, with criminal networks expanding operations across borders.
The Embassy further explained that Sri Lanka’s advanced telecommunications infrastructure, strategic location, and close ties with China have unfortunately made it a target for fraud gangs, particularly those exploiting Chinese citizens both at home and abroad. Recent instances of telecom fraud in Sri Lanka have prompted a strong response from China.
In September, China’s Ministry of Public Security dispatched a special working group to Sri Lanka to collaborate with local police in a joint operation. This partnership resulted in the arrest of a significant number of suspects, and efforts are now underway to repatriate these individuals. The Embassy stressed that this is only the beginning of a larger, ongoing operation aimed at dismantling fraud networks in the region.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by globalisation, the Chinese Embassy emphasised the importance of international cooperation to combat cross-border crime. It also called for continued support from the Sri Lankan government, law enforcement, and media in this shared fight against fraud.
China and Sri Lanka share a strong bilateral relationship, and both nations have consistently worked together across various sectors. The Chinese government is committed to further strengthening its collaboration with Sri Lanka in the realm of law enforcement, aiming to protect the interests of their citizens and uphold the integrity of their enduring partnership.
