22 Chinese nationals sentenced in Zambia for cybercrimes targeting multiple countries

Twenty-two Chinese nationals were sentenced to long prison terms in Zambia for cybercrimes, including internet fraud and online scams. They targeted people from Zambia, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. The court in Lusaka sentenced them to 7 to 11 years in prison and fined them between $1,500 and $3,000. They admitted to charges of computer-related misrepresentation, identity fraud, and illegal network operation. The arrests were part of a crackdown on a sophisticated internet fraud syndicate involving 77 people, mostly Zambians. The investigation started when authorities noticed a rise in cyber fraud cases and complaints of people losing money from their phones or bank accounts. The police, immigration department, and anti-terrorism unit raided a Chinese-run business in Lusaka, arresting the suspects. The business, Golden Top Support Services, employed young Zambians to engage in deceptive conversations with mobile users using scripted dialogues on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The Chinese nationals and a Cameroonian were found guilty of manipulating identities online to scam people. The company's director was charged with operating the network without proper authorization. The raid uncovered over 13,000 local and foreign mobile phone SIM cards, two firearms, and 78 rounds of ammunition. The suspects used devices to disguise their location and Sim boxes to route calls across legitimate networks. The Zambian nationals arrested were released on bail to assist with the investigation. The confiscated equipment showed the extensive reach of the operation.