Authorities in Nepal have detained 122 Chinese nationals on suspicion of engaging in financial crimes.

A police spokesman says the suspects were rounded up Monday during a series of raids in the capital, Kathmandu, and taken to different detention centers.

The Chinese nationals are suspected of taking part in cyber theft. Police say they are also investigating whether anyone in the group had violated immigration laws by overstaying their visas.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a news conference in Beijing that police from China and Nepal cooperated in the investigation, and insisted that China is willing to increase cooperation with Nepal on a variety of issues, including law enforcement.