Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Report Details Chinese Role in Sri Lanka's Illegal Call-Centre Networks
A report says illegal call centres are operating in Sri Lanka.
It warns that these centres may harm the country's safety, finances and reputation.
The report says police have raided five such centres since a special investigation unit began in 2021.
In total, 408 people were arrested, and 284 were Chinese nationals.
In the first seven months of 2026, 201 people were arrested, including 156 Chinese nationals.
The report says some foreign workers are promised good jobs online.
It alleges that some then have their passports taken and are made to work in scam centres.
The report says people in China are among the main targets of the scams.
It calls for stronger legal and technology measures to address the problem.
A report says illegal call centres in Sri Lanka threaten national security, financial stability and the country's international reputation.
The report cites five major raids by the Criminal Investigation Department's Computer Crime Investigation Division from its creation in 2021 through July 31, 2026.
Authorities arrested 408 people in raids on illegal call centres, including 284 Chinese nationals, according to information obtained under the Right to Information Act.
Of 201 people arrested during the first seven months of 2026, 156 were Chinese nationals, the report says.
The report alleges foreign recruits are lured with job offers, then confined and forced to make calls or send messages from scam centres.
- Who
- Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department and people arrested in raids on illegal call centres; the report says many arrested people were Chinese nationals.
- What
- A report describes the growth and alleged operations of illegal call centres, linking them to cybercrime and financial fraud.
- When
- The cited figures cover the period since the Computer Crime Investigation Division was established in 2021, through July 31, 2026; one breakdown covers the first seven months of 2026.
- Where
- Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The report says the networks conduct scams and pose risks to national security, financial stability and Sri Lanka's international reputation.
- Raids
- Five major raids by the Computer Crime Investigation Division since its establishment in 2021, through July 31, 2026.
- Total arrests
- 408 people arrested in raids on illegal call centres, according to information cited in the report.
- Chinese nationals arrested
- 284 of the 408 arrested people were Chinese nationals.
- Arrests in first seven months of 2026
- 201 people, including 156 Chinese nationals.
- Recruitment methods described
- The report says foreigners are recruited through Telegram, Facebook and LinkedIn with purported data-entry or online-marketing job offers.
- Alleged conditions
- The report alleges some recruits have their passports taken, are confined in isolated properties and are forced to make calls or send messages.
- Reported primary victims
- The report says the networks' primary victims are Chinese citizens living in China.