Twenty-two Chinese nationals have pleaded guilty to committing cyber-related crimes in Zambia. They are among 77 suspects arrested in April in connection with a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate,” according to authorities. The operation targeted a Chinese-run company in Lusaka following a surge in internet fraud cases affecting people globally.
The Chinese nationals are scheduled for sentencing on Friday, according to local media report. The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) noted increasing instances of Zambians losing money through mobile and bank account scams, extending to other countries.
Victims of the scam included individuals in Singapore, Peru, the UAE, and various African nations. The DEC also arrested dozens of young Zambians allegedly recruited as call-center agents for fraudulent activities, including internet fraud and online scams.
After a trial lasting several weeks, the 22 Chinese nationals, including one female, pleaded guilty to three charges: computer-related misrepresentation, identity-related crimes, and illegally operating a network or service. They, along with a Cameroonian national, were charged with manipulating people’s identities online to scam them. The accused hold various positions in Golden Top Support Services, the company at the center of the raid.
Li Xianlin, believed to be the company’s director, was charged with operating the network without a Zambian license. The state prosecutor requested more details about the charges on Tuesday.
The Zambian nationals involved were charged in April and released on bail to assist with investigations. Authorities said they had engaged in deceptive conversations with unsuspecting mobile users on platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and chatrooms using “scripted dialogues.”
The raid resulted in the seizure of equipment that allowed callers to disguise their location and thousands of SIM cards. Eleven SIM boxes, devices that route calls across genuine phone networks, were discovered. Over 13,000 SIM cards, both local and foreign, were confiscated, illustrating the operation’s extensive reach, according to the DEC.
Additionally, two firearms, about 78 rounds of ammunition, and two vehicles belonging to a Chinese national linked to the business were impounded during the raid.
The company, located in Roma, an upmarket suburb of Lusaka, is yet to comment on the allegations.
Melissa Enoch
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