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.