Twenty-two Chinese nationals have admitted to engaging in cyber-related offenses in Zambia.
They are part of a group of 77 individuals apprehended in April for their involvement in what authorities termed a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate”.
The crackdown occurred at a Chinese-operated firm in the capital city of Lusaka, prompted by a surge in internet fraud incidents targeting individuals worldwide.
According to local media, sentencing for the Chinese defendants is scheduled for Friday.
In April, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) reported a surge in instances where Zambians fell victim to money laundering schemes, resulting in losses from their mobile and bank accounts.
Authorities revealed that the scams extended to foreign countries, including Singapore, Peru, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and various nations across Africa.
The DEC also disclosed the arrest of numerous young Zambians recruited as call center agents for the fraudulent activities, encompassing internet fraud and online scams.
After undergoing a trial spanning several weeks, the 22 Chinese nationals, which includes one female, admitted guilt to three charges, namely computer-related misrepresentation, identity-related crimes, and the illegal operation of a network or service.
Additionally, the 22, alongside a Cameroonian national, faced charges for manipulating individuals’ identities online with the intention of scamming them.
The accused held various positions within the Chinese-operated Golden Top Support Services, the focal point of the raid. Situated in Roma, an affluent suburb of Lusaka, the company has not yet responded to the allegations.
Li Xianlin, presumed to be the director of the company, faced charges for operating the network without authorisation from Zambian authorities.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the state prosecutor urged the court to provide further specifics regarding the charges.
Meanwhile, the Zambian nationals were charged in April and subsequently granted bail to assist authorities in their inquiries.
The Zambian individuals involved were assigned the responsibility of conducting deceitful conversations with unsuspecting mobile users through various platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and chatrooms, using pre-written dialogues.
Authorities seized equipment including devices enabling callers to conceal their location, along with thousands of SIM cards.
Additionally, 11 Sim boxes were uncovered during the raid, which are devices capable of routing calls across legitimate phone networks.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) stated that the confiscation of over 13,000 Sim cards, both domestic and international, underscores the extensive reach of the operation.
Additionally, two firearms and approximately 78 rounds of ammunition were seized, and two vehicles belonging to a Chinese national associated with the business were impounded during the raid.
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