In a significant blow to transnational crime, Sri Lankan police have repatriated 125 individuals suspected of involvement in large-scale telecom fraud to China. The announcement was made by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Thursday. The suspects were escorted back to China on March 29 through a coordinated effort involving the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and Chinese law enforcement. The cases are currently being investigated by public security organs in central China’s Hubei Province.
Crackdown on Shifting Crime Hubs
Since the start of 2026, authorities have observed a notable trend of telecom fraud syndicates and related underground industries relocating their operations from other regions to Sri Lanka. In response, police from both nations intensified their collaboration to dismantle these emerging networks.
The joint operation resulted in:
- Multiple successful raids across Sri Lanka.
- The dismantling of several “fraud dens” or illegal call centers.
- The apprehension of high-value targets involved in cross-border network fraud.
Strengthening International Cooperation
The MPS highlighted that this successful repatriation is a direct result of deepened international law enforcement cooperation. By sharing intelligence and resources, China and Sri Lanka have set a precedent for tackling crimes that jump across national borders.
“Chinese police will continue to enhance law enforcement cooperation with more countries,” stated an MPS official. “Our goal is to resolutely combat telecom fraud and jointly build a pragmatic, efficient framework to tackle transnational crimes.”
[ Peace News Desk ]