https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240609/zambian-court-sentences-international-team-of-online-scammers-to-prison-for-cybercrimes-1066948765.html
Zambian Court Sentences International Team of Online Scammers to Prison for Cybercrimes
Zambian Court Sentences International Team of Online Scammers to Prison for Cybercrimes
Sputnik Africa
The scammers mostly targeted individuals in Zambia, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. There has been no response to the allegations from the... 09.06.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-06-09T15:15+0200
2024-06-09T15:15+0200
2024-06-10T12:47+0200
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A group of 21 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian citizen were convicted by a Zambian court on Friday for their involvement in online fraud and scams. These persons were among 77 others who were detained in April for their involvement in an operation that the police referred to as a "sophisticated international internet fraud syndicate." The Magistrate's Court in Lusaka fined them between $1,500 and $3,000 and sentenced them to terms ranging from 7 to 11 years. The accused individuals admitted allegations of deceit pertaining to computers, identity theft, and unauthorized use of network services.An increase in cyber-related fraud cases and a number of complaints from individuals regarding mysterious money losses from their bank accounts and cell phones prompted the start of the inquiry, the director-general of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Nason Banda, said after the law enforcement agencies' raid in April.In April, a Chinese firm in Lusaka was searched by the commission, police, immigration department, and anti-terrorism section, leading to the arrest of 77 individuals, according to a press release from the DEC of Zambia.More than 37,000 SIM cards for domestic and international mobile phones, two guns, and 73 rounds of ammunition were taken by the authorities during the raid. After the raid, Banda stated that the company, Golden Top Support Services, hired “unsuspecting” Zambians between the ages of 20 and 25 to utilize these SIM cards for scripted talks in deceptive interactions with customers on various platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and chat rooms. According to Banda, the citizens of Zambia were charged and then freed on bail to assist law enforcement in their inquiries into the case.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240515/zambia-teams-up-with-russian-cybersecurity-giant-kaspersky-to-fight-online-fraud-1066551615.html
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zambia, singapore, peru, whatsapp, southern africa, cybercrime, cyberattack, court, court sentence, fraud, crime, cameroon, china, police, terrorism, fighting terrorism
zambia, singapore, peru, whatsapp, southern africa, cybercrime, cyberattack, court, court sentence, fraud, crime, cameroon, china, police, terrorism, fighting terrorism
Zambian Court Sentences International Team of Online Scammers to Prison for Cybercrimes
15:15 09.06.2024 (Updated: 12:47 10.06.2024) The scammers mostly targeted individuals in Zambia, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. There has been no response to the allegations from the company under whose guise the cybercrimes were committed.
A group of 21 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian citizen were
convicted by a Zambian court on Friday for their involvement in online fraud and scams. These persons were among 77 others who were detained in April for their involvement in an operation that the police referred to as a "sophisticated international internet fraud syndicate."
The Magistrate's Court in Lusaka fined them between $1,500 and $3,000 and sentenced them to terms ranging from 7 to 11 years. The accused individuals admitted allegations of deceit pertaining to computers, identity theft, and unauthorized
use of network services.
An increase in cyber-related fraud
cases and a number of complaints from individuals regarding mysterious money losses from their bank accounts and cell phones prompted the start of the inquiry, the director-general of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Nason Banda, said after the law enforcement agencies' raid in April.
In April, a Chinese firm in Lusaka was searched by the commission, police, immigration department, and anti-terrorism section, leading to the arrest of 77 individuals, according to a press release from the DEC of Zambia.
More than 37,000 SIM cards for domestic and international mobile phones, two guns, and 73 rounds of ammunition were taken by the authorities during the raid. After the raid, Banda stated that the company, Golden Top Support Services, hired “unsuspecting” Zambians between the ages of 20 and 25 to utilize these SIM cards for scripted talks in deceptive interactions with customers on various platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and chat rooms.
According to Banda, the citizens of Zambia were charged and then freed on bail to assist law enforcement in their inquiries into the case.
"The successful conviction of these individuals underscores the commitment of Zambian law enforcement agencies to tackling cybercrime and protecting the public from online fraud. The DEC urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activities to the authorities," the press release read.
