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Security agencies in Lusaka have apprehended 13 Chinese nationals, with one linked to the recent internet fraud syndicate involving Golden Top Support Services.
The Department of Immigration and Drug Enforcement Commission arrested 10 females and three male Chinese nationals, together with two female Vietnamese and two male Zambian drivers bringing the total to 17 suspects.
Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Bshinka, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday.
He said the suspects were apprehended in the late hours of Tuesday, April, 23, 2024 during a raid on a named residential property in Lusaka’s Mass Media Area.
“This was after a tip-off from a concerned member of the public and weeks of investigations,” Nshinka stated.
He added that the group was ambushed as it was about to drive out of the property in two white Toyota Alphard Vehicles Registration numbers BAT 6338 and CAA 2323.
Nshinka said it was being driven by two Zambian drivers and a Black Toyota Mark X Registration number AIC 7129 which was being driven by a Chinese male, Lai Aiping (36).
“Lai Aiping has since been linked to the internet fraud syndicate involving Golden Top Support Services,” he stated.
Nshinka said at the time of the raid, one female and three male Chinese nationals had valid Employment Permits under different companies while four female Chinese nationals had been in the country legally as ordinary visitors.
He stated that it was also established that the two Vietnamese and one Chinese female had no legal immigration status while the other four female Chinese nationals were undocumented.
“During the operation, cash amounting to K 248,195 and US$ 1,105) was found at the property and has been seized by the Drug Enforcement Commission,” Nshinka said.
He added that the Black Toyota Mark X along with 98 Airtel SIM cards which were found inside the vehicle had also been seized.
Nshinka revealed that the team also found stacks of condoms and unknown drugs inside the property.
“The condoms have been confiscated by the Department of Immigration while the drugs are in the custody of the Drug Enforcement Commission for tests. In addition, the two Toyota Alphard Vehicles have been impounded,” he said.
Nshinka stated that all suspects are detained pending further investigations.
He indicated that investigations into the matter were ongoing and that so far, it seems to suggest that the suspects could be involved in commercial sex activities with some named Casinos.
“We wish to warn foreign nationals who deliberately enter the country under false pretences that they will be arrested, prosecuted, and deported from the country,” Nshinka warned.
He said these arrests and seizures had yet again highlighted the importance of collaboration by law enforcement agencies in fighting crime.
Nshinka assured the Department of Immigration would continue to work closely with other law enforcement agencies to rid the country of foreigners who choose to abrogate their permission to stay in the country by engaging in illegal activities.
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