The Sri Lanka Police has arrested 198 foreign nationals suspected of engaging in online financial fraud and other cyber-related crimes while staying at hotels in several areas of the Southern Province.

Police said the suspects were arrested during three special raids carried out in Galle, Hikkaduwa, and Midigama.

During a raid conducted at a tourist hotel in the Pingwatta area of Midigama, Police arrested 33 individuals, including 28 Indian nationals and five Nepalese nationals.

In addition, 35 Indian nationals and 20 Nepalese nationals were taken into custody in Hikkaduwa, while another 110 Indian nationals were arrested in the Galle area.

According to Police, 174 of those arrested are Indian nationals, while the remaining 25 are Nepalese nationals.

The suspects are reportedly between 25 and 35 years old.

Police stated that the arrests were made over several offences, including overstaying without valid visas, engaging in illegal employment while in Sri Lanka on tourist visas, involvement in fraudulent activities falling under the Computer Crimes Act, and possession of duty-free cigarettes brought into the country illegally.

Further investigations are being carried out by the Midigama Police.