Colombo: At least 60 Indian nationals belonging to a group involved in online financial scams have been arrested by Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department.

They were arrested on Thursday in the Colombo suburbs of Madiwela and Battaramulla and the western coastal city of Negombo.

According to police spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa, the CID conducted simultaneous raids in these mentioned areas, seizing 135 mobile phones and 57 laptops.

The action has been taken following a complaint by a victim who was lured with the promise of cash for social media interactions in a WhatsApp group.

Further investigation revealed a scheme where victims were forced to make deposits after an initial payment. In Peradeniya, a father-son duo admitted to assisting the fraudsters, the Daily Mirror Lanka newspaper reported.

Key evidence uncovered during a raid on a luxury home in Negombo led to the initial arrest of 13 suspects and the seizure of 57 phones and computers.

Subsequent operations in Negombo resulted in an additional 19 arrests, revealing international ties to Dubai and Afghanistan. The victims included both locals and foreigners, the report said.

They are suspected to have been involved in various activities of financial fraud, illegal betting and gambling.