The Chinese government has expressed its commitment to strengthening anti-fraud law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka following the recent arrests of foreign suspects involved in online fraud, including Chinese nationals. In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo voiced concerns over the growing cases of online fraud, which not only endanger the property and security of citizens in both countries but also damage China’s international image and the strong bilateral relationship shared with Sri Lanka.
According to the Embassy, telecom and online fraud has been a serious issue in China since it first appeared in the 1990s. Over the past decades, the Chinese government has made significant progress in addressing these crimes, with the number of fraud cases solved in 2021 reaching five times that of five years ago. The Chinese government’s anti-fraud efforts have resulted in a year-on-year decline in fraud cases for 17 consecutive months since June 2021. However, telecom and online fraud remain a global concern, spreading rapidly across various countries.
In recent years, China has partnered with nations such as Myanmar, Cambodia, and the United Arab Emirates to combat fraud, dismantling criminal syndicates. Nevertheless, some of these groups have moved operations to peripheral regions, including Southeast Asia. Sri Lanka’s advanced telecommunications infrastructure, strategic geographic location, and friendly relations with China have made it an attractive destination for electronic fraud gangs. According to Chinese authorities, these criminal groups have exploited the relatively low public awareness of online fraud in Sri Lanka to continue their illicit activities, targeting Chinese citizens at home and abroad.
In response to the rising number of fraud cases in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Public Security of China deployed a working group in September to collaborate with the Sri Lankan police in a joint operation to crack down on telecom fraud. This effort has already resulted in the arrest of numerous suspects, and steps are being taken for their repatriation.
The Chinese government has emphasized the importance of continuing this law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka. “China stands ready to further strengthen law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka and take swift and effective actions to jointly address this problem,” the statement read. The Embassy also called for greater understanding and support from the Sri Lankan government, police, and media in tackling the issue.
The cooperation between China and Sri Lanka to combat online fraud reflects the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations, which continue to support each other in various areas for the benefit of both peoples. With ongoing joint operations, both countries aim to create a strong deterrent against fraud and ensure the protection of their citizens from these global crimes.