Cybercrime Shock: Zambia Exposes ‘Sophisticated’ Chinese Syndicate
In Zambia, a major crackdown on internet fraud has led to the arrest of 77 individuals, including 22 Chinese nationals, revealing what authorities describe as a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate.” The operation, hailed as a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, targeted a Chinese-run company called Golden Top Support Services.
The company, located in the upmarket suburb of Roma in the capital city, Lusaka, was found to have recruited Zambians under false pretenses, employing them as call-center agents. These individuals, aged between 20 and 25, were allegedly involved in engaging in deceptive conversations with unsuspecting mobile users across various platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and chatrooms using scripted dialogues.
During the raid, authorities seized a significant amount of equipment, including devices capable of disguising callers’ locations and 11 Sim boxes. Sim boxes are devices that route calls in a manner that bypasses legitimate phone networks, enabling fraudulent activities such as internet fraud and online scams. Additionally, over 13,000 Sim cards, both domestic and international, were confiscated, indicating the extensive reach of the operation.
The investigation revealed that the fraudulent activities extended beyond Zambia’s borders, with evidence suggesting that individuals in countries such as Singapore, Peru, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other African nations had been targeted. The illicit operations reportedly involved money-laundering schemes, resulting in financial losses for individuals in Zambia and potentially beyond.
Golden Top Support Services, the company at the center of the raid, has not provided any comment on the allegations. The operation was conducted by multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the police, the immigration department, and the anti-terrorism unit, following months of intelligence gathering in response to the rising cases of internet fraud in Zambia.
Comment Template