The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested 40 foreign nationals involved in financial fraud through social media and phone calls. 

The arrests were made during raids at a hotel in Gampaha and a private establishment in Hanwella, on Sunday (6).

Among the arrested suspects are 30 Chinese nationals, 4 Indian nationals, and 6 Thai nationals. 

Investigators seized 499 mobile phones, 24 laptops, and 29 desktop computers from the suspects.

The police stated that these individuals lured various people into investing money through social media platforms, including Facebook, and phone calls. 

They used pre-prepared scripts in multiple languages, phone conversations, and text messages to carry out their fraudulent activities.

The suspects also established fake romantic relationships with middle-aged and elderly individuals they met through social media, convincing them to deposit money into various schemes based on trust.

The police further revealed that victims from countries such as China, Indonesia, Thailand, and other South Asian nations were targeted by this scam.

The organized cyber fraud operations were found to be linked to cyber crime camps in Myanmar and Thailand.

The CID is conducting further investigations with the assistance of Interpol and Europol.