Twelve Chinese nationals, three Bangladeshi and six Indian nationals have been arrested in Maradana by the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Immigration officials for allegedly engaging in online scams, according to Sri Lanka Police.

The arrested foreign nationals were found to be staying in the country without valid visas, police said.

The scam operation had been carried out inside a three-storey building located in the Technical Junction area of Maradana, where 21 foreign nationals allegedly involved in the operation were taken into police custody.

The suspects include 12 Chinese nationals, including two women, six Bangladeshi nationals and three Indian nationals, police added.

Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the nature of the online scams operated by the group from the building and the network behind the operations.

Further investigations into the incident are being conducted on the instructions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya, under the direction of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Ranmal Kodituwakku.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today (03).