Muthomi Ireri
On Friday, a Zambian court sentenced 22 Chinese nationals to prison for cybercrimes, including internet fraud and online scams targeting individuals in Zambia, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. The Magistrates Court in Lusaka handed down sentences ranging from 7 to 11 years, along with fines between $1,500 and $3,000, following their guilty pleas to charges of computer-related misrepresentation, identity fraud, and illegal operation of a network or service.
Additionally, a Cameroonian national received a similar sentence and fine. These individuals were part of a larger group of 77 people, mostly Zambians, arrested in April in connection with a sophisticated internet fraud syndicate.
Cybersecurity analyst Ali Kingston Mwila remarked on the unusual severity of the sentences, noting that past offenders of similar crimes often went unpunished. Nason Banda, Director-General of the Drug Enforcement Commission, explained that investigations began after a surge in cyber fraud cases, with numerous complaints about unexplained losses of money from mobile phones and bank accounts.
In April, officers from various Zambian law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Commission, police, immigration department, and anti-terrorism unit, raided a Chinese-operated business in an upscale Lusaka suburb. The raid resulted in the arrest of 77 individuals and the seizure of over 13,000 local and foreign mobile phone SIM cards, two firearms, and 78 rounds of ammunition.
The business, named Golden Top Support Services, had employed unsuspecting Zambians aged 20 to 25 to use the SIM cards for deceptive conversations with mobile users on platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and chat rooms, using scripted dialogues. Following the raid, the local employees were released on bail.
Mwila pointed out that some critical questions remain unanswered, such as the total amount stolen and the use of the seized firearms and ammunition.
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
