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Sri Lanka has teamed up with Interpol and China to target organised groups involved in cross-border gambling and fraud, marking one of the country’s strongest moves yet against foreign-run betting networks.
Joint action against cross-border crime
Sri Lankan and Chinese authorities are sharing intelligence through Interpol.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed that local law enforcement agencies are now working directly with Interpol to identify and deport foreign nationals running illegal gambling and fraud operations.
A delegation from Interpol recently travelled to Colombo for a security summit, where they agreed on new strategies to detect, arrest, and extradite suspects linked to cross-border financial crimes.
Wijepala said the cooperation has already produced results.
He explained:
“China is cooperative. These scammers swindle money from China. As a result, they are nabbed and deported for legal action over there.”
So far, around 80 people have been arrested and handed over to Chinese authorities for prosecution.
China and Sri Lanka strengthen law enforcement ties
Talks between leaders have reinforced a shared goal of fighting gambling crimes.
The crackdown follows a recent bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders pledged to enhance collaboration in law enforcement and cybersecurity, aiming to stop the flow of illegal gambling and online fraud operations between the two nations.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two governments agreed to “resolutely combat crimes such as cross-border gambling and fraud” while improving intelligence sharing and investigative training.
International cooperation reshapes enforcement strategy
Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a key partner in Asia’s anti-gambling network.
The country’s partnership with Interpol signals a shift toward stronger regional cooperation on gambling-related crime, which often involves money laundering, online betting rings, and fraudulent payment systems.
Officials said the initiative would help track financial transactions linked to offshore gaming platforms and strengthen border control systems that detect illegal gambling activity.
For Sri Lanka, the move also reflects growing political alignment with Beijing’s push to tackle cyber-enabled crime across Asia.
Looking ahead: cooperation over confrontation
The joint mission could redefine how Asia tackles illegal gambling networks.
While the immediate focus is on deporting offenders, security experts believe the long-term goal is to prevent Sri Lanka from being used as a base for transnational gambling and fraud.
With Interpol, China, and Sri Lanka now coordinating on real-time intelligence, officials hope to build a system that prevents criminal groups from shifting operations across borders.
The question now is: can this alliance turn short-term arrests into lasting protection against cross-border gambling and fraud?
Source: Focus Gaming News
