Zambia: dismantling a cybercrime network led by Chinese

The Zambian authorities have dismantled a large network of cybercriminals led by Chinese nationals, involved in sophisticated fraud targeting victims around the world.

An important cybercrime network led by Chinese nationals has been dismantled by the Zambian authorities, after months of investigation. According to information collected this Thursday, at least 77 people have been arrested in the past two months for their presumed involvement in this international scam, which targeted victims in Africa, Asia and South America.

The arrests took place following a descent of agents from the Zambian Commission for the Fight against Drugs (DEC) in a Chinese company, Golden Top Support Services, located in Lusaka, the country’s capital. Among the individuals arrested were 22 Chinese nationals, who pleaded guilty when they appeared before a Lusaka court on Wednesday.

This network of cybercriminals is said to have carried out fraudulent operations targeting victims in countries as varied as Zambia, Peru, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The methods used included false computer declarations, identity theft and illegal networks. Authorities have also entered more than 13,000 SIM cards, firearms and vehicles used in the context of these illicit activities.

Zambia recently experienced an increase in cases of citizens who have lost money in complex money laundering operations. The DEC has stressed that the accused will have to answer for several counts, in particular for false computer declarations and identity theft.