Sri Lanka emerging as new hub for cyber fraud networks
Sri Lanka is increasingly being seen as a refuge for cyber fraud operators, as tougher enforcement in countries such as Cambodia pushes criminal networks to relocate. Reports say some Indian youths were lured abroad with promises of jobs in Cambodia and other countries, only to have their passports seized and be forced into cybercrime. After learning of the situation, India’s central government rescued several victims and brought them back. An assessment cited in a US parliamentary committee report last year noted that fraud groups tend to move under international pressure to countries with weaker investigative systems but strong digital infrastructure. Sri Lanka is said to be attractive due to visa-free travel, readily available buildings for rent, robust telecom connectivity and established money-transfer channels, along with easy access to SIM cards.
