China, Sri Lanka Boost Cooperation to Combat Online Gambling, Telecom Fraud, and Related Crimes

The Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka reported that China and Sri Lanka have stepped up cooperation in terms of joint law enforcement in combating internet gambling, telecom fraud, and related criminal activities since the beginning of 2026, as these illegal activities have now migrated from other countries to the region.

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Increased Coordination with Sri Lankan Authorities

According to an official statement issued by the Chinese Embassy and published on the organization’s website, increased coordination was achieved through better communication between the embassy and various ministries and departments of Sri Lanka. It should be noted that law enforcement agencies from both states continue to cooperate in combating gambling- and fraud-related crimes.

The embassy said Sri Lankan authorities have carried out several investigations and crackdown operations, dismantling a number of gambling and fraud dens and arresting a large number of suspects, including nationals from several countries. It also said several Chinese nationals linked to fraud-related crimes have been handed over to the Chinese side, creating what it described as a strong deterrent effect.

The statement also said Chinese public security authorities are making every effort to move forward with the investigation and handling of the relevant cases. China said it highly appreciates the work of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Public Security ministries, especially the immigration authorities and the police.

Crime Spillover Concern

The embassy said the recent rise in gambling- and fraud-related crimes in Sri Lanka reflects the spillover of regional criminal networks. It claimed organized crime groups operating in East and Southeast Asia are expanding toward more remote and more vulnerable regions, with scam compounds, underground banking operations, and illegal online marketplaces showing signs of coordinated growth and overlap.

It warned that if firm and immediate action is not taken to curb illegal gambling, online gambling, telecom fraud, and related crimes in Sri Lanka, the activities could damage the country’s international image, undermine public security and social stability, and seriously affect the safety and sense of security of Sri Lankans.

The embassy said joint action against gambling- and fraud-related crime in Sri Lanka, including the repatriation of suspects and the dismantling of criminal, organizational and financial networks, can help build a stronger shield against such offences.

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Wider International Cooperation

The statement referred to the cooperation that China had been having with other nations in the past few years. According to the Chinese Embassy, these joint efforts have resulted in the apprehension and extradition of a considerable number of foreign scamsters.

In addition, China has put forth the idea of forming an international coalition against telecom and internet scams in order to deal with the governance issues involved. The embassy said the goal would be to help build a new global framework for dealing with telecom and online fraud offences.

China said this proposal reflects the fact that the structure of criminal activity is changing. It said traditional crimes are rapidly expanding online, while new forms of crime led by telecom and online fraud have become a global public nuisance and a major challenge for international law enforcement and governance.

China’s Position On Cross-Border Gambling

The embassy also repeated China’s stance on cross-border gambling. It said Chinese capital is forbidden from being used to invest in overseas casinos, Chinese citizens are not allowed to take part in the operation of overseas casinos, and overseas casinos are prohibited from soliciting Chinese citizens to gamble.

It said gambling almost always leads to financial ruin and added that tens of thousands of Chinese citizens have suffered property losses and even personal harm because of cross-border gambling. The embassy also said such activity can lead to other offences, including fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, unlawful detention, human trafficking, and illegal border crossing. It noted that new amendments to China’s Criminal Law have criminalized cross-border gambling activities.

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Source: Inside Asian Gaming