The Aluthgama Police arrested 39 Chinese yesterday on suspicion of stealing money from bank accounts of people living in different countries.
The raid was carried out after several embassies informed the police that a group suspected of stealing money by hacking into people’s bank accounts was staying at a tourist resort in Kaluwamodara, Aluthgama.
Several police teams raided the hotel and detained the Chinese tourists.
They were taken to the Aluthgama police station in a private bus, and the police also took computers, expensive smartphones, and a large amount of cash into custody.
Due to the lack of an interpreter, police were initially unable to record their statements. However, police said last night that they had found an interpreter and that statements had been recorded.
Aluthgama Police and the Criminal Investigation Department are conducting additional investigations. They will be brought before a magistrate.