Africa
Cybercrime: Zambian court jails 22 Chinese, Cameroonian
Cybercrime: Zambian court jails 22 Chinese, Cameroonian
Lusaka, Zambia – A Zambian court on Friday sentenced 22 Chinese nationals to prison terms ranging from 7 to 11 years for their involvement in cybercrimes, including internet fraud and online scams that targeted individuals in Zambia, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Magistrates Court in Lusaka also imposed fines ranging between $1,500 to $3,000 on the convicts after they pleaded guilty to charges of computer-related misrepresentation, identity fraud, and illegally operating a network or service. A Cameroonian national was similarly sentenced and fined for the same charges.
These sentences follow the arrest of a group of 77 individuals, predominantly Zambians, in April, which was described by police as a crackdown on a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate.”
Cybersecurity analyst Ali Kingston Mwila highlighted the significance of the court’s decision, noting, “In the past, we have seen criminals walking away freely after committing such or similar crimes.”
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Director-General of the Drug Enforcement Commission, Nason Banda, explained that the investigation began following a noticeable increase in cyber-related fraud cases, with many people reporting unexplained losses of money from their mobile phones or bank accounts.
In April, authorities from the Drug Enforcement Commission, police, immigration department, and anti-terrorism unit raided a Chinese-run business named Golden Top Support Services in an affluent Lusaka suburb. The raid resulted in the arrest of the 77 individuals, including those sentenced on Friday. During the operation, authorities recovered over 13,000 local and foreign mobile phone SIM cards, two firearms, and 78 rounds of ammunition.
The business had employed young Zambians, aged between 20 and 25, to use the SIM cards to engage in deceptive conversations with unsuspecting mobile users across various platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and chat rooms, using scripted dialogues, according to Banda.
While the locals involved were released on bail, questions remain regarding the full extent of the crimes. Mwila emphasized that key details, such as the total amount of money stolen and the use of the recovered firearms and ammunition, have not been disclosed.
“Looking at the crime as it stands, we have not been told how much they have stolen, we have not been told as well those guns and ammunition they had, how they have been used,” Mwila added, calling for further transparency and investigation into the case.
Cybercrime: Zambian court jails 22 Chinese, Cameroonian
Africa
Boyfriend of murdered Kenyan journalist arrested
Boyfriend of murdered Kenyan journalist arrested
Africa
Baltasar Engonga: I dated him for four years, lady says, sues for betrayal
Baltasar Engonga: I dated him for four years, lady says, sues for betrayal
Cristel Nchama, one of the women appearing in viral explicit videos allegedly involving Baltasar Engonga, the former director-general of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has filed a formal complaint with the National Gendarmerie in Malabo.
Engonga has been the focus of intense public scrutiny after investigators, probing allegations of fraud, searched his home and office and reportedly uncovered approximately 400 explicit videos featuring him with multiple women.
The tapes allegedly show Baltasar Engonga with his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the country’s president, the wife of the director-general of police, and around 20 wives of ministers, among others.
The recordings, which have since gone viral, are said to have taken place in Engonga’s office, hotels, and bathrooms, purportedly with the consent of those involved.
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In her complaint, Nchama disclosed that she had been in a four-year relationship with Engonga and expressed profound distress over the public leak of the videos, which she says has harmed her reputation.
Nchama claimed that Engonga “misled” her into trusting him and that she had initially resisted being filmed, under the impression that any recordings would be deleted.
She also claimed to have been “betrayed” by Bello for publishing the videos.
“I am humiliated,” she stated. “It is my reputation, my honour. I want to know where these images came from and why he kept the images.”
In addition to filing her complaint, Nchama has demanded reparations from Engonga for the damage caused to her reputation and personal dignity.
Following the scandal, the government dismissed Engonga from his position at ANIF on Thursday.
Officials also announced the suspension of various public officials allegedly involved in sexual activities within government offices.
Baltasar Engonga: I dated him for four years, lady says, sues for betrayal
Africa
Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea appoints new anti-graft agency boss
Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea appoints new anti-graft agency boss
Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has appointed Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo as the new Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), succeeding Baltasar Ebang Engonga, who was removed amid sex scandal.
Recall that Engonga was dismissed following accusations of “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions,” along with inappropriate family and social behavior unfit for public office, as stated in Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4.
The investigation uncovered over 400 video recordings in Engonga’s office, reportedly involving the wives and relatives of high-ranking officials, including ministers and police officers.
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The shocking discovery triggered widespread public outrage and prompted swift action by the government.
In response, the Equatorial Guinean government has mandated the installation of surveillance cameras across all state offices, aiming to monitor officials’ conduct and deter future misconduct.
Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo, who steps into the role at ANIF is a graduate of the National University of Equatorial Guinea, Avomo and has held key positions, including Magistrate Judge in Malabo, Director General of Contract Studies and State Markets at the Ministry of Finance, and Secretary General for both the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning, and the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Energy.
Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea appoints new anti-graft agency boss
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