China and SL strengthen cooperation against online gambling and telecom fraud

In recent years, cross-border online gambling and telecom fraud have continued to occur frequently worldwide and have evolved into a typical form of transnational organized crime. The perpetrators, victim groups, and operational areas of such crimes all display pronounced international characteristics.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has also pointed out that these scam centers are spreading from Southeast Asia to other regions, with criminal networks becoming increasingly intertwined with human trafficking. Chinese nationals are among the primary victim groups of such crimes.

The position of the Chinese government on cross-border gambling is consistent and unequivocal: Chinese capital is forbidden to invest in overseas casinos, Chinese citizens are forbidden to participate in the operation of overseas casinos, and overseas casinos are prohibited from soliciting Chinese citizens to gamble. Gambling almost invariably leads to financial ruin.

Tens of thousands of Chinese citizens have suffered property losses and even personal harm as a result of cross-border gambling. Such activities may also give rise to other crimes and illegal acts, including fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, unlawful detention, human trafficking, illegal border crossing and so on. New Amendments to the Chinese Criminal Law has criminalized cross-border gambling activities.

The structure of criminal activity is undergoing profound changes, with traditional crimes rapidly expanding and evolving online. New forms of crime represented by telecom and online fraud have become a global public nuisance and a major challenge for international law enforcement and governance.

Guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has made substantive achievement together with relevant parties in combating transnational telecom and online fraud crimes.

In recent years, China has successively carried out law enforcement cooperation with countries including Spain, United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, and Cambodia, leading to the arrest and repatriation of a large number of overseas fraud suspects.

China has also proposed that relevant countries and regions jointly establish an international alliance against telecom and online fraud, so as to encourage and coordinate all parties and the international community to work together in addressing the governance challenges posed by such crimes and to promote the building of a new global framework for combating and governing telecom and online fraud crimes featuring coordination, broad participation, and joint action.

Since the beginning of this year, in response to the growing trend of individuals involved in online gambling, telecom fraud, and related criminal grey and black industries relocating from other countries to Sri Lanka, China and Sri Lanka have intensified their joint law enforcement efforts.

The Chinese Embassy has strengthened communication and coordination with Sri Lanka relevant ministries and departments, including Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Public Security, while the law enforcement agencies of the two countries have continued to deepen practical cooperation.

Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities have carried out multiple investigations and crackdown operations, dismantled a number of gambling and fraud dens, and arrested a large number of fraud suspects, including nationals from several countries. A number of Chinese nationals involved in fraud-related crimes have been handed over to the Chinese side, producing a strong deterrent effect.

Chinese public security authorities are making every effort to advance the investigation and handling of the relevant cases.

The Chinese side highly appreciates the hard work and effective efforts made by Sri Lanka ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Public Security, especially the immigration authorities and the police.

The recent increase in gambling- and fraud-related crimes in Sri Lanka is a direct reflection of the spillover of regional criminal networks. Organized crime groups operating in East and Southeast Asia are expanding toward “more remote and more vulnerable” regions, as well as beyond the region itself.

Criminal activities such as scam compounds, underground banking operations, and illegal online marketplaces are showing signs of coordinated expansion and interconnected proliferation.

If firm and immediate measures are not taken to curb the spread of illegal gambling, online gambling, telecom fraud, and related crimes in Sri Lanka, these activities will seriously damage the country’s international image, undermine public security and social stability, and severely harm the safety, interests, and sense of security of the Sri Lankan people.

By working together to crack down on gambling- and fraud-related criminal activities in Sri Lanka, expeditiously repatriating relevant suspects and holding them legally accountable, and jointly dismantling the criminal, organizational, and financial networks behind these operations, China and Sri Lanka can build a stronger shield against gambling and fraud crimes. This cooperation will help safeguard the lives, property, and legitimate rights and interests of the peoples of both countries, protect financial security and social stability, prevent unnecessary depletion of Sri Lanka’s law enforcement and judicial resources, effectively contain the expansion of gambling and fraud syndicates in Sri Lanka, and contribute to building a clean, safe, and beautiful Sri Lanka.

Combating and governing transnational gambling-and fraud-related crimes is a common challenge faced by the international community, and the task remains arduous and long-term.

Going forward, Chinese government will actively implement the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, while actively promoting the establishment of an international alliance against telecom and online fraud.

China will continue to strengthen practical and efficient law enforcement and security cooperation with Sri Lanka and other countries, resolutely crack down on telecom and online fraud crimes, and jointly foster a new framework for combating transnational crime.

Such efforts will help create a secure, stable, and law-based environment for protecting the lives and property of the peoples of both countries, promoting economic and social prosperity and development, and deepening comprehensive practical cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.