Zambia arrests 77 people suspected of ‘defrauding’ call centers

Zambian law enforcement officials have arrested 77 people at a call center company they accuse of hiring local graduates to defraud Internet users around the world.

Young Zambians aged 20 to 25 were recruited by the Chinese-run Jinding Support Services, based in the upscale area of ​​the capital Lusaka, who believed they were being hired as call center agents, according to Zambian authorities.

In fact, these operatives are tasked with conducting fraudulent conversations with mobile users around the world via WhatsApp, Telegram and other online chat rooms, using scripted conversations to steal money from unsuspecting victims.

In a press conference posted on Facebook, Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) described how officers raided the offices of Golden Summit Support Services following a months-long investigation into an alleged online fraud syndicate.

Authorities said victims were not limited to the Zambian border but also came as far away as Singapore, Peru, the United Arab Emirates and other countries in Africa.

DEC Director General Nason Banda stressed the importance of victims of fraud reporting incidents of fraud to the authorities:

“I want to assure the people of Zambia that we will pursue these criminals with all our might. We are working with all experts in Zambia. Again, we will never relent. And there will be no sacred cows.. .Zambian people please come and tell us every time you are scammed because if you don’t report it to us you will continue to be scammed.

The raid on Golden Summit Support Services was hailed as “a major breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime” and not only arrested 77 people (including 22 Chinese men and 1 Cameroonian), but also seized vehicles, two guns, and 78 rounds of ammunition. , 97 desktop computers, 42 new and boxed computers and over 13,000 Airtel, MTN and Vodafone SIM cards.

During the operation, investigators also discovered other IT equipment, including 11 SIM card boxes, which allowed phones to bypass legitimate phone networks and make fraudulent calls.

Authorities also seized six properties linked to the company at the center of the investigation, including a luxury lakefront home.

Seventeen Zambian suspects have been released, but the remaining arrested have been detained for further questioning.